PICTURES: Bundesliga returns to action after COVID-19 lockdown

Dortmund thrash Schalke in eerie surroundings in Germany

Published: May 16, 2020 19:40 Matthew Smith, Sport Editor

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Germany's Bundesliga football season resumed on Saturday after a two-month break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Borussia Dortmund defeated Schalke 4-0 in the first Ruhr derby to be played in an empty stadium. Image Credit: Reuters

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All the games began amid strict hygiene measures. Calls and shouts from coaching staff and players, and the thud of the ball being kicked, reverberated around the mainly deserted stands. Image Credit: Reuters

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Erling Haaland scored the league's first goal since the enforced break. The 19-year-old celebrated with a restrained dance while his teammates stayed well away. Image Credit: Reuters

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Players had been warned to keep their emotions in check, and to desist from spitting, handshakes and hugging. Image Credit: Reuters

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Julian Brandt set up Raphael Guerreiro for the second goal before the break and Thorgan Hazard for the third after it. Hazard celebrated alone in front of Dortmund's south terrace, where normally the club's "Yellow Wall'' of almost 25,000 fervent fans would be standing. Image Credit: Reuters

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Guerreiro scored the fourth against a poor Schalke as Dortmund cut the gap on leaders Bayern Munich to a point. Bayern are due to play at Union Berlin on Sunday. Image Credit: Reuters

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The strict measures included disinfecting all the balls used during the matches. Image Credit: AFP

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RB Liepzig were held 1-1 by Freiburg, and had a lucky escape as a late Freiburg goal was ruled out for offside. Image Credit: AFP

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Fortuna Dusseldorf coach Uwe Roesler was only permitted to remove his mask to shout instructions to his players. Image Credit: AFP

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Freiburg players had to come up with alternative congratulatory gestures as handshakes and high-fives were a no-no. Image Credit: AFP

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PICTURES: Bundesliga returns to action after COVID-19 lockdown

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PICTURES: Bundesliga returns to action after COVID-19 lockdown

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