Bundesliga restart: fixtures, kick-off time and how to watch matches.
The Bundesliga is the first of Europe’s major leagues to resume after lockdown, albeit without crowds. Here are all the key details as live football finally returns to our screens.
When did the Bundesliga restart?
Germany’s top division resumed on Saturday May 16, following a two-month shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each team has nine or 10 league matches to play in order to complete the season.
Where are the games being played?
Unlike Premier League proposals to use neutral venues, Bundesliga teams will play matches at the home team’s stadium as normal. They will be behind closed doors, of course.
What are the first set of fixtures?
How can I watch the games?
BT Sport has exclusive Bundesliga rights in the UK. The broadcaster will show nine Bundesliga matches across Saturday May 16, Sunday May 17 and Monday May 18. For the remainder of the Bundesliga season, BT Sport will broadcast every match, with at least one match per weekend, while games are watched online.
How is it safe to play in Germany?
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 crucially they continued training. 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.
Last week Telegraph Sport revealed the extraordinary lengths teams will go through to complete their matches. Players will be tested twice a week, three team buses will be used for social distancing, players will enter the field separately and there will be no handshakes.
What is there still to play for?
Just eight points separate the top five in Germany and 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 score in excess of 60 league goals after 25 games, so their games usually deliver entertainment.
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.
How does the league table stand?
“Bundesliga Table”
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