FOOTBALL showed its fight against the coronavirus as action returned in Germany’s Bundesliga.
And there were some familiar big guns making the headlines as sports fans around the world welcomed the live action.
It was a whole different ball game as the Bundesliga restartedCredit: AFP or licensors
Players were forced to think of new ways to greet each otherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jadon Sancho was only named on the bench for Borussia Dortmund against Schalke – coming on for the last 11 minutes.
He watched on as Erling Haaland became the first player to score in the restart in a 4-0 home win.
And while a return to action was welcomed by most, it was a very different ball game than ensued.
With the games played behind-closed doors only stadium workers and football officials were in the stands.
But then FC Erzgebirge Aue coach Dirk Schuster (second from right) and SV Sandhausen coach Uwe Koschinat greeted each other with an elbowCredit: Getty – Pool
Players wore masks, balls were wiped and the stands were empty in GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Substitutes for RB Leipzig and Freiburg had to use an airport gangway to maintain social distancing
And the instructions coming from the respective benches echoed around the grounds.
Many footie fans on social media likened the live action as being akin to “training sessions”.
Even Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt tweeted: “Watching this Dortmund Schalke game, it’s just not the same without fans energy is all out of sync.”
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas was another who pointed out the “power of the fans”.
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland scored, then showed off his new social distancing celebrationCredit: EPA
Fans were baffled why Dormtund subs had to sit so far apart when on the pitch they would be tied to the oppositionCredit: AFP
Players and coaches came out for the pre-game warm-ups wearing face coverings, but these were ditched when the action started.
There was no social distancing when it came to tackling, but there was when Haaland celebrate his opener for Dortmund – showing off a new solo celebration.
RB Leipzig even drafted in a raised airport gangway in order to comply with social distancing measures for their match against Freiburg.
Augsburg players decided to go with the traditional celebrationsCredit: AFP or licensors
Wolfsburg duo Renato Steffen (centre) went airborne to celebrate a goalCredit: EPA
In order to fit all the coaches and players while maintaining the required distance between them of 1.5 metres, the gangway was necessary to extend the space available into the stand.
But fans were left baffled as to why subs were made to sit two metres apart on the bench when they would be in much closer proximity with each other on the pitch.
And there were even changes in BT Sport’s coverage too – with Owen Hargreaves coming across all high and mighty.
That’s because he appeared as a pundit on a big screen from his house in between two studio presenters.
The ex-England international was likened to a “dictator” by freaked out fans as he was seen in his elevated position.
The fist bump onto an elbow was a new one displayed by Freiburg in the restartCredit: Reuters
Bundesliga is back underway behind closed doors with Owen Hargreaves looking like ‘The Supreme Leader’ on his punditry
One said: “Football is back, being led by Supreme Leader Hargreaves.”
Chancellor Angela Merkel gave the green light for the Bundesliga – which last played on March 8 – to restart.
It was Bundesliga 2 that kicked off the action earlier in the day – and it started in the craziest of fashion.
Erzgebirge Aue defeated Sandhausen 3-1 – with the opening goal and a red card coming in the first FOUR minutes.
Dennis Diekmeier was shown a straight red card for a professional foul in the area for the visitors.
Stadium workers were all tested for their temperature during today’s gamesCredit: EPA
Keen eyes from world football will have been on the Bundesliga stars as they restarted the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
Bundesliga top-flight scores
Dortmund 4-0 Schalke
Erling Haaland became the top flight’s firsts corer since the restart as the title-chasers romped home.
Leipzig 1 Freiburg 1
Poulsen rescued a point for Leipzig as their title chase immediately faltered.
Hoffenheim 0 Hertha Berlin 3
Three second-half goals saw Hertha spring a shock at Hoffenheim.
Fortuna 0-0 Paderborn
Fans were perhaps glad they were made to stay away from this bore draw that does little for either’s team’s fight from the drop.
Augsburg 2 Wolfsburg 2
Ginczek wins it for Wolfsburg in injury-time to break Augsburg hearts.
Players came out for the warm-ups in masks but soon ditched them when the game startedCredit: Getty – Pool
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
