The Bundesliga became the first of Europe's major leagues - and the largest sports league in the world - to return to action this afternoon. All matches were played in the often-eery surrounds of arenas closed to fans.
Title-challengers Borussia Dortmund showed no signs of ring-rust, as they returned with an emphatic 4-0 home win over Schalke.
Dortmund's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany.At full time they continued the tradition of saluting the 'Yelllow Wall,' paying tribute to their fans watching at home due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The club, which has developed a cult-following right across the continent, boasts the highest average attendance in Europe, with more than 80,000 fans packing out the Westfalenstadion for home games.
Wunderkind Erling Haaland kicked off the scoring in the 29th minute, guiding a whipped-cross low into the Schalke net.
Dortmund's Erling Haaland, center, celebrates after his team scored the 4th goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, May 16, 2020. The German Bundesliga becomes the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool)He has now scored 10 goals in his first nine games in the German top-flight.
A one-two combo from Raphael Guerreiro and Thorgan Hazard either side of the break put the game beyond the mid-table visitors, before a second from Guerreiro made it four.
Schalke's Salif Sane reacts in the goal after Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro scored his side's second goal against Schalke's goalkeeper Markus Schubert, right, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, May 16, 2020. The German Bundesliga becomes the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool)The win brings the club within a point of league leaders Bayern Munich, who take on Bundesliga surprise-package Union Berlin at 5:00pm tomorrow.
Are @Mainz05en just @LeitrimGAA in disguise? | #Bundesligaisback
Excited about the #Bundesliga but don't know who to support? Well, @EoinSheahan is here to help! 🇩🇪 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/Yjyf1UGw9D— Off The Ball (@offtheball) May 15, 2020
Bundesliga adapts
The arrival of players at the ground was staggered as they were transported in multiple coaches, teams were afforded extra dressing room space, and the match balls were disinfected as we got a glimpse at what the immediate future of football will look like.
Elsewhere:
- RB Leipzig were held to a 1-1 draw by Freiburg.
- Wolfsburg beat Augsburg 2-1.
- Hertha Berlin went to Hoffenheim and secured a 3-0 win.
- Fortuna Dusseldorf vs SC Paderborn was the only afternoon fixture to ended scoreless.
Here is legendary German football chronicler Uli Hesse on why he is struggling to invest in the idea that the league can restart at this stage - and explaining why he thinks the Bundesliga may never reach its finish line on OTB AM.
