Bundesliga takeover: so far so good

"We have a very important role as an example," said Hans-Dieter Flick, coach of Bayern Munich, on the eve of the resumption of the German championship on May 16. Indeed, the whole planet had its eyes riveted on the Bundesliga, the first major championship to resume after a long break, coronavirus forces. "We have a huge responsibility," said Hans-Joachim Watzke, boss of Borussia Dortmund. After four days, and while many football nations are in the starting blocks to resume in turn, except France and a handful of others, the first assessment of the German recovery.

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Show and goals
If it is not the most famous, the "sexiest" championship, the best seller, the Bundesliga is one of the most spectacular. And this is still the case since the recovery. We see games of good performance, including a Dortmund-Bayern (0-1) of very high level. And we see goals. Lots of goals. 106 in total, or 3.02 per game. We could fear players out of shape, teams in lack of rhythm. This is not the case, with only three 0-0 in 35 games, before Cologne-Leizpig Monday evening at the end of the 29th day. Viewers were not mistaken with record audiences on Sky Sport on the other side of the Rhine ... "The quality of play is interesting, judge Patrick Guillou, German football specialist on beIN Sports . Compared to the long period of inactivity, without a preparation match, the intensity is too. We must highlight the work put in place by the physical trainers and the involvement of the players, who are focused and involved. ”

I fully accept my choice to activate the fan atmosphere option on the #Bundesliga matches on @beinsports_FR it's well done and there is also the atmosphere of the stadium with field microphones around the players and benches. Bravo to the sound engineer who is a real DJ https://t.co/Kfrd2jgqSo

In camera: no one is a prophet at their stage
"When you play outside without an audience, it's obviously easier," admits Peter Bosz, Leverkusen's coach. And it shows in the numbers. If 45% of the matches went to the home team in the last two seasons, we have only seen seven home wins in 35 games in this post-coronavirus Bundesliga, before Cologne-Leipzig (8 draws, 20 wins to outside). Note that one can hear encouragements, whistles and other songs in his post by listening. The German production indeed offers a soundtrack to broadcasters. Amazing at first. Pleasant then. In any case, the director of beIN programs , Florian Houzot, "fully assumes" the use of this option. “It is well done, and there is also the atmosphere of the stadium with microphones at the edge of the field around the players and the benches. Bravo to the sound engineer who is a real DJ, ”he still congratulates. The directors also offer many more close-ups than usual, just to hide these sad empty stands from viewers. And the comments? “After many commented matches, we keep our passion alive, without forgetting what happened, but without feeling guilty either. It is a small victory over this virus, ”Judge Guillou.

"German football has given itself the means to facilitate the decision-making of public authorities, and for the moment, we can rejoice because it works"

Football inspires the rest of Germany
So far, no avalanche of injuries. Above all, no new cases of Covid-19. It must be said that the health protocol is draconian. Already, the tests. At least twice a week and on the eve of each match. And everything else ... Only 300 people at the stadium, wearing a mask and physical distance to the bench, regularly disinfected balls ... "Certain parts of the organization set up in football are taken up in other sectors of activity in Germany, notes Patrick Guillou. Football has served as a laboratory and has given hope to many people. I am not talking about hope, but hope. The medical protocol is more restrictive in certain aspects than deconfinement. ” And to add: “We are in the middle of the ford. There are five days left. I am unable to say if there will be a second wave, a new interruption. But German football has given itself the means to facilitate decision-making by the public authorities. And for the moment, we can rejoice because it works. ” Note that the supporters, responsible, participate in this success by avoiding gatherings.

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On the field, Bayern puts everyone in agreement The
only club to win its four games since the recovery, Bayern is more than ever on its way to the title, its eighth in a row and the 30th in its history. Four successes, including that in Dortmund in a "Klassiker" worthy of the "Champions League in terms of intensity, strategic, mental", swears Guillou. The domination of the Bavarians was not born yesterday. It is confirmed. And all the lights are green, with seven lengths ahead of the leaderboard, 86 goals scored (record after 29 days), already eight "clean sheets" in the return phase ... "A show of strength, Guillou analysis. This size Bayern boss shows that it will be very difficult to dislodge him from his throne. ” Bayern, which is still in the semi-final of the German Cup, against Frankfurt, and in the Champions League, against Chelsea (3-0 victory in the first knockout round). For the rest, it will be noted that the nugget of Leverkusen, Kai Havertz (20 years), walks on the water with already five goals since the recovery, and that the many French of the German championship continue to show themselves, like Marcus Thuram (M 'Gladbach), who took advantage of the first of his two goals against Union Berlin (4-1), on Sunday, to pay tribute to the memory of George Floyd. Gesture worthy of his dad, Lilian.

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