JAKARTA - The German League has become the first European top league to continue competition after being suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland immediately stepped on the gas as the Bundesliga played their 26th round on Saturday, May 16, scoring against Schalke 04 in Rivierderby.
Norway international Haaland brought home a Thorgan Hazard cross in the 29th minute to score the first goal since Germany's top flight was suspended in March.
It was his 13th goal in 12 appearances in all competitions since joining Dortmund in January. Making him the second Bundesliga player to achieve the feat after Klaus Matischak for Schalke in 1963-64.
Haaland's Bundesliga record now stands at 10 goals in nine games. Only Gert Dorfel and Paco Alcacer have scored that many goals in fewer games (both eight).
Dortmund themselves won 4-0 over their rivals. Apart from Haaland, three other Black Yellow goals were scored by Raphael Guerreiro (two goals) and Thorgan Hazard.
Distancing RulesMeanwhile. A number of striking adjustments marked the continuation of the German League. Apart from empty stadiums because these matches must be played without spectators, handshake and photo sessions with the team are also not enforced.
The team mascots and goal boys are also prohibited from accompanying the team when they enter the field.
Meanwhile on the edge of the field, the reserve players must sit two meters away. Another option is that they have to wear a mask when standing on the substitute bench.
Coaches are allowed to remove their masks to shout instructions to the players on the pitch, however they must be at least 1.5 meters away from the closest person.
The players now also have to reduce the level of spontaneity when they score goals. This was true by Erling Haaland, who scored Dortmund's first goal.
After netting the opening goal in the 28th minute, the Norwegian forward kept his distance from his colleagues eager to celebrate the goal.
Celebrations in 2020. pic.twitter.com/F0nrltll6C
- Borussia Dortmund (BlackYellow) May 16, 2020
Another example was given by Raphael Guerreiro who scored two goals in that match. He celebrated his goal by scoring an elbow high with his team-mates.
No PunishmentHowever, the German League Operators (DFL) said it would not penalize players who violated their distance guidelines while celebrating goals.
Like Hertha Berlin defender Dedryck Boyata kissing teammate Marko Grujic on the cheek to celebrate an own goal by Hoffenheim player Kevin Akpoguma.
"Regarding goal celebrations, (keeping your distance) is the recommendation in this guide, therefore there are no sanctions," said a DFL spokesman as stated on the official DFL website.
Hertha Berlin coach Bruno Labbadia also defended the players' actions.
"I hope the people out there understand it. It's just a recommendation. We have tested negative six times, most of it yesterday," Labbadia said.
"Emotions are part of this (game). Otherwise there is no point in playing the match," he added.
With the players remaining close to each other throughout the match, the effectiveness of implementing a strict policy around distance between goals in the German League has been questioned by many.
In fact, Boyata has not only violated the guidelines surrounding the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hertha striker Vedad Ibisevic was caught spitting in the box when he failed to take his chances in the first half. It is also prohibited from referring to the new guidelines.
Following are the full results of matchday 26 of the German League played on May 16:
Augsburg Vs Wolfsburg 1-2
Borussia Dortmund Vs Schalke 04 4-0
Fortuna Düsseldorf Vs SC Paderborn 07 0-0
Hoffenheim vs Hertha BSC 0-3
RasenBallsport Leipzig vs Freiburg 1-1
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-3
Eintracht Frankfurt Vs.
Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-3
May 17th schedule:
FC Köln Vs Mainz 05: 20:30
FC Union Berlin Vs FC Bayern München: 23:00
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