Berlin (dpa) - The weekend starts again with the Bundesliga. Because of the Corona crisis, it will not be a normal game day. However, some duels should still create tension.
NO FANS IN THE STADIUM: The games in the Bundesliga are without spectators. This is dictated by the new DFL guidelines. Accordingly, a maximum of 300 people may be on the entire stadium area at the same time. The area is divided into three zones: stadium interior, grandstand and outdoor area. A maximum of 100 people can be in each zone. In addition to the teams, referees and ball boys, photographers and doping control officers may also be present during a game.
REVIERDERBY: After a long break, the rivals enter the first district ghost derby in Bundesliga history with due respect. "A derby without a spectator makes your heart bleed," BVB sports director Michael Zorc said. Trainer Lucien Favre, who has to compensate for the loss of Emre Can and Axel Witsel in the defensive center, has completely different problems. Meanwhile, several regulars can join Schalke that would have been missing nine weeks ago. No wonder that coach David Wagner thinks that his boys have come through the corona crisis well
TITLE FIGHT: Bayern are aiming for the eighth championship title in a row. The star ensemble of coach Hansi Flick is the favorite in the last nine games with goalie Robert Lewandowski, who has recovered from a knee injury (25 goals). The advantage over Borussia Dortmund is four points, even five over Herbstmeister RB Leipzig, which takes third place. "We are very well prepared, I can say that," said captain Manuel Neuer. The Munich team can first follow on Saturday whether BVB can successfully present in the district derby against Schalke and Leipzig in the home game against SC Freiburg. The German record champion will only be a guest at Union Berlin on Sunday evening.
BUNDESLIGA AS A PIONEER: UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised the German Football League and the authorities after the restart. He called the Bundesliga a "shining example" for other associations. The Secretary General of the German Football Association, Friedrich Curtius, reported great foreign interest in the restart: "Our concept is very well received internationally, and we are already in contact with UEFA and other national associations for this."
NEW (OLD) TRAINERS: At his premiere with Hertha BSC at 1899 Hoffenheim, Bruno Labbadia relied on the virtues that were also valid in the time before the coronavirus crisis. "It's not about titles. It's about getting the league," said the 54-year-old, who replaced Alexander Nouri at Easter weekend. Season goal: Secure the six point lead over relegation rank.
Heiko Herrlich had to wait for his first game with FCA in Augsburg for over two months. "I am humble and grateful that we can play again," said Martin Schmidt's successor. The worst team in the second half of the season (four points) is supposed to protect you from relegation. The FCA is five points ahead of relegation place 16.
After a 65-day Corona break, the ball rolls again in the Bundesliga. It was the longest non-winter league break. The decision to allow the rest of the season to be played without spectators brings a change for fans. What's new when the season starts again?
CONFERENCE ON TV: Fans can watch live free TV for at least the next two game days. Pay-TV broadcaster Sky will show its conference switching from the ghost games of the 1st league on Saturday and the 2nd league on Sunday on the 26th and 27th matchday on its freely accessible channel Sky Sport News HD. It is still unclear whether the paid streaming service DAZN will broadcast Werder Bremen's match against Bayer Leverkusen live on Monday. The background to this is a dispute between the DFL and Eurosport, the rights of which DAZN has taken over as a sublicensee.
FORBIDDEN PICKING: This will be tough for sociable soccer fans. Stadium closed - and no groups are allowed to gather in front of the television. Since the Bundesliga conference can be received on TV for the next two match days, supporters are not dependent on bars with pay TV. In theory, everyone could look at home in a small group. The police union had also warned of crowds at the stadiums, such as the first ghost game between Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln. Clubs and fans have been in close contact ever since. According to many clubs, there will be no mass emergence at the stadiums.
FIVE CHANGES: Now it's getting full on the sidelines. Just in time before the start, the DFL allowed five instead of three substitutions for the rest of the season. This should relieve the players in the face of the tightly packed calendar in the wake of the corona crisis and possible games in the hot summer. The changes may be made during the break and on three further occasions during the season. This is to prevent coaches from playing in the final phase with many substitutions for time.
HYGIENE: Fans will wait in vain for cheers after goals have been scored at the weekend. According to the hygiene concept of the DFL, hugs and clapping are prohibited, but elbow and foot contact are permitted. "We'll come up with something," said Cologne professional Mark Uth. The face mask for trainers may need getting used to, especially since the mask can be removed when coaching. Paderborn's trainer Steffen Baumgart said: "Since I am someone who speaks or whistles for 90 minutes, I don't think the mask will be used as much. But I have it with me."
Bundesliga table
Bundesliga matchday
