PHOTOS: Bundesliga back on track after COVID-19 lockdown

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Borussia Dortmund scored a goal in each half through Raphael Guerreiro and Achraf Hakimi to beat hosts Wolfsburg 2-0 on Saturday and stay on the heels of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. Portugal international Guerreiro tapped in a cutback from Thorgan Hazard after Erling Haaland had failed to connect in the 32nd minute, and Hakimi fired in from a fine Jadon Sancho assist in the 78th to make sure of the three points. Image Credit: AFP

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The result had lifted Dortmund to 57 points, one behind Bayern. The Bundesliga resumed last week with no fans, after more than two months of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

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Bayern responded by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 5-2, surviving a brief second-half comeback scare to stay four points clear of Dortmund with seven games left to play. The Bavarians thought they had the match wrapped up after efforts from Leon Goretzka, Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski had given them a 3-0 lead in the empty Allianz Arena. Eintracht defender Martin Hinteregger caught the Bayern defence napping to strike twice in three minutes and inject new life into the encounter. Yet the visitors then quickly gave away two goals - with Alphonso Davies pouncing on a defensive error on the hour and Hinteregger scoring an own goal in the 74th minute. Image Credit: Reuters

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Bayern are on 61 points with Dortmund, who host the Bavarians on Tuesday, on 57 following their win over Wolfsburg. The next match will go a long way to deciding who will be German champions. Image Credit: AFP

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Kai Havertz scored a brace for the second match in the row to lead Bayer Leverkusen to a 3-1 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach as they leap-frogged their opponents to go third in the Bundesliga on Saturday. As with all Bundesliga matches since the coronavirus outbreak, the game was played behind closed doors but the stands were brightened by around 20,000 cutouts of real Gladbach fans, who had paid 19 euros each to have their cardboard images placed in the stadium. Image Credit: AFP

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Plucky Paderborn replied quickly through Dennis Srbeny to an early Robert Skov goal for Hoffenheim to grab a 1-1 draw in their Bundesliga clash on Saturday, their second draw in two games since league play resumed following the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

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Werder Bremen midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt scored a brilliant first-half winner to seal 1-0 victory at Freiburg on Saturday that reignited their hopes of staying in the Bundesliga. The victory at an empty Schwarzwald stadium on the second weekend of Bundesliga action since the league resumed after the COVID-19 stoppage helped 10-man Bremen reach 21 points from 26 games, boosting their bid to avoid being relegated for the first time in 40 years. Image Credit: AP

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On Friday night, Hertha Berlin defeated city rival Union Berlin 4-0 in a subdued derby amid the Bundesliga's strict hygiene measures against the coronavirus on Friday. No fans were allowed into the game, the first in the German league's second round of games since it resumed last weekend after a two-month break. Image Credit: AFP

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There were no unruly individuals present to break a minute's silence held before the game for victims of the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

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Quick-fire goals from Vedad Ibisevic and Dodi Lukebakio early in the second half, followed by more from Matheus Cunha and Dedryck Boyata gave Hertha its second win in two games under new coach Bruno Labbadia and helped ease the pain of losing the first Bundesliga derby between the sides 1-0 in Union's stadium in November. Image Credit: AP

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The contrast between the games could hardly have been greater. Union's stadium was sold out. The teams were greeted by a giant choreography based on Greek mythology and the game was marred by pyrotechnics landing on the field and the threat of fan violence afterward. There was no fear of a repeat on Friday. Fans had been told to stay away and there seemed little enthusiasm for the game around the city before kickoff. Image Credit: AFP

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Players were allowed to play only after testing negative for COVID-19, and they were warned to keep their emotions in check. They arrived wearing face masks. Balls were disinfected. Labbadia and counterpart Urs Fischer wore face masks as they conversed, then touched elbows instead of the customary handshake or embrace before the game. The thud of the ball seemed amplified in the vast emptiness of Hertha's 75,000-capacity Olympic Stadium. Players were encouraged with scattered applause and shouts from masked non-playing teammates. Image Credit: AFP

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The defeat, coupled with the loss to Bayern Munich last week, leaves Union down in 12th spot in the Bundesliga standings. Image Credit: AFP

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Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin Image Credit: AFP

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