Wearing gloves for hygienic reasons and observing social
distancing on the pitch are among the challenges facing Bundesliga footballers
back in training this week amid hopes the league could resume next month.
Most of the 18 clubs in Germany’s top flight returned to
their clubs on Monday, albeit in small groups with limited contact to meet
health guidelines due to the coronavirus.
League matches in Germany have been suspended since March
13.
The German Football League (DFL) is in talks with the
clubs and authorities about the Bundesliga resuming on May 2, but with matches
played in front of empty terraces and fans locked out while public events
remain banned in the country.
A decision about when the competition can resume is
expected on April 17, which could make it the first of Europe’s top leagues to
return.
Meanwhile, the league’s stars are adjusting to training in
the era of social distancing.
Defending champions Bayern Munich, who were four points
clear when the league was halted, were typical of sides in holding sessions in
small groups.
Contact is kept to a minimum with hugs of greeting and
handshakes banned and players staying 1.5m apart, even on the training pitch.
“It was a very unusual feeling to train in small
groups,” admitted Bayern captain Manuel Neuer with a maximum of five
players per group permitted at their state-of-the-art training complex.
Like most other clubs, Bayern’s squad members were told to
shower elsewhere and handed post-training snacks in a box to eat at home.
In Wolfsburg, the players trained wearing gloves despite
warm spring temperatures.
“For hygienic reasons, we have to wear gloves, even
though it’s 22 degrees (Celsius),” said forward Maximilian Arnold.
“Of course it’s necessary, but also a bit
funny.”
Tackling and close-quarter challenges for the ball are
frowned upon at all outfits.
“I would love to tackle, but I can’t do that
now,” said Hoffenheim defender Havard Nordtveit.
Previous weeks at home, in many cases filled by hours on
the PlayStation games console, had left a toll.
‘Well regulated’
“My ball control was never perfect, but you can tell
that a few team-mates have not trained with the ball for three weeks,”
Nordtveit added.
“The most important thing, is to keep working on our
fitness now and be ready” should the season resume.
In Berlin, Union defender Christopher Lenz was just as
happy to have team-mates to pass to again and “have a real ball” at
his feet.
“I missed the boys. The PlayStation had been my best
friend”.
After weeks of training individually, or in online groups
like Bayern did, most players were pleased to be back on a pitch, despite the
new hygiene measures.
“It’s a nice feeling” to “play a bit of
football and see the colleagues again,” Fortuna Duesseldorf forward Rouwen
Hennings said.
“Of course you can’t put in hard tackles or
challenges, but I think it’s quite well regulated for the here and now.”
In Gelsenkirchen, Schalke coach David Wagner said his
squad were happy to be put through their paces.
“The fitness coaches can really let off steam, and
the boys are up for it too,” said the former Huddersfield boss.
“Anything is better than running alone through the
forest.”
However, players training in small groups offers an extra
advantage for eagle-eyed coaches.
“Nobody can hide,” said Duesseldorf coach Uwe
Roesler with any lack of fitness quickly showing up.