Germany’s top division, Bundesliga, will resume on Saturday May 16, after a two-month shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bundesliga teams will play matches at the home team’s stadium as normal.
However, the matches will be played behind closed doors.
Germany’s players were the first of Europe’s major leagues to return to training while observing social distancing rules.
There were concerns when Cologne reported three positive results last week but they continued training all the same.
Positive tests are expected to be treated as regular injuries, followed by a two-week absence.
The German Football League (DFL) announced on Monday they had taken 1,724 tests on players and staff and 10 were positive for coronavirus.
- ‘Hungry’ Bayern delighted to be back in training, says Alaba
- Merkel gives go-ahead for Bundesliga to resume in mid-May
Going forward, players will be tested twice a week.
More so, three team buses will be used to ensure social distancing while players will enter the field separately and there will be no handshakes.
The battle ahead
The battle for the top prize will continue as only eight points separate the top five in Germany.
Although, Bayern Munich are favourites to win another title with a four-point lead, it has been a competitive season.
Bayern, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have all scored in excess of 60 league goals after 25 games.
In the relegation battle, the bottom two in the 18-team division go down automatically while the team that finishes 16th face third in Bundesliga 2 in a play-off.
Paderborn and Werder Bremen occupy the bottom two spots while Fortuna Dusseldorf and Mainz are also in trouble.
Bundesliga fixtures
As the teams return to battle, Borussia Dortmund will be home against Schalke 04 in the early fixture even as RB Leipzip welcome Freiburg same time.
Table toppers, Bayern, will not be in action until Sunday when they visit Union Berlin in their quest to retain the championship.
Below is the full fixtures for the weekend:
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
