The Bundesliga’s return to action on Saturday was the best news clubs have had for weeks but with no fans in the stands due to coronavirus restrictions the atmosphere took some getting used to.
“It is very strange,” Dortmund coach Lucien Favre said. “You have no noise, you take a shot on the goal, you play a great pass, you score a goal and, nothing. Nothing happens.”
For Bayern’s Thomas Muller the atmosphere reminded him of “old men’s games played in the afternoon.”
Teams were ordered to avoid group celebrations as part of the health and safety regulations for the restart but Hertha Berlin players were unable to contain themselves and celebrated in the usual fashion during their 3-0 win over Hoffenheim.
“I am sorry but we are passionate footballers, not robots,” said Vedad Ibisevic, who scored once.
“I asked our doctor before the game if the goal would still count if we did that. That was for me the most important thing,” he said.
Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou will not play again this season due to injury. The player suffered a knee ligament injury in training in April and was expected to be fit for the run-in but remained sidelined for the win over Schalke 04 on Saturday.
“He will not play any more this season,” coach Favre said.
REUTERS