THE Bundesliga is back!
Following the suspension of all major football leagues due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Germany’s top flight has returned to bring some lockdown respite for footy fans – albeit behind closed doors.
Credit: EPA
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland scored, then showed off his new social distancing celebrationBut how can you watch it from the safety of your sofa? We’ve got you covered…
When did the Bundesliga restart?
Germany’s top-flight returned on Saturday May 16, as the teams started to play their final nine fixtures of the season.
Borussia Dortmund continued their title challenge against Bayern Munich, who also won on Sunday.
Chancellor Angela Merkel gave the green light for the Bundesliga – which last played on March 8 – to restart earlier than the rest of Europe.
The clubs had been training since mid-April in groups.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin welcomed German football’s imminent return hailing it as a turning point.
Ceferin said: “It is great news that the German authorities have agreed that the Bundesliga can return.
“This is a huge and positive step to bringing optimism back to people’s lives.”
The Bundesliga 2 also returned at the weekend.
Opening weekend results
Saturday, May 16
- Dortmund 4-0 Schalke
- Leipzig 1-1 Freiburg
- Hoffenheim 0-3 Hertha
- Fortuna 0-0 Paderborn
- Augsburg 1-2 Wolfsburg
- Frankfurt 1 vs Gladbach 3
Sunday, May 17
- Cologne 2-2 Mainz
- Union 0-2 Bayern
Monday, May 18
- Bremen 1-4 Leverkusen
How can I watch the Bundesliga?
- In the UK, BT Sport have the rights to the Bundesliga.
- The channel have confirmed that they will be broadcasting the restarted league.
- It will be available to subscribers on BT Sport’s channels, their website, and their app.
Florian Kainz celebrates after putting Koln 2-1 up against MainzCredit: Reuters
When are the next Bundesliga fixtures?
The next round of Bundesliga matches start on Friday May 22, while there is a midweek set of games starting Tuesday May 26 with Dortmund v Bayern – mark your calendars. All times are UK kick-offs.
Friday 22nd May
Hertha Berlin vs Union Berlin (19:30, BT Sport 1)
Saturday 23rd May
Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund (14:30, BT Sport 1)
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen (14:30, BT Sport 2)
Freiburg vs Werder Bremen (14:30, BT Sport 3)
Paderborn vs Hoffenheim (14:30, BT Sport Extra 1)
Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt (17:30, BT Sport 1 & BT Sport Ultimate)
Sunday 24th May
Schalke vs Augsburg (12:30, BT Sport 1)
Mainz vs RB Leipzig (14:30, BT Sport 1)
Cologne vs Fortuna Dusseldorf (17:00, BT Sport 1)
Tuesday 26th May
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich (17:30, BT Sport 1 & BT Sport Ultimate)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Freiburg (19:30, BT Sport ESPN)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Wolfsburg (19:30, BT Sport 1)
Werder Bremen vs Borussia Monchengladbach (19:30, BT Sport 2)
Wednesday 27th May
RB Leipzig vs Hertha Berlin (17:30, BT Sport 1)
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Schalke (19:30, BT Sport 1)
Union Berlin vs Mainz (19:30, BT Sport 2)
Augsburg vs Paderborn (19:30, BT Sport ESPN)
Hoffenheim vs Cologne (19:30, BT Sport 3)
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
