Odd sights from Germany’s comeback
Germany gave football-starved fans reason to be cheerful on Saturday with the Bundesliga's return to action behind closed doors, on a day in which Borussia Dortmund hammered local rivals Schalke in an echoing Signal Iduna Park. Here are some of the most eye-catching things from a memorable day in the history of the sport:
Haaland keeps it socially distanced: Wonderkid striker Erling Braut Haaland began where he left off with the first Bundesliga goal of its restart.
It was the 19-year-old's 10th goal in just nine Bundesliga appearances and set his team on their way to a thumping 4-0 derby victory.
Haaland made sure his teammates kept their distance as he bobbed a cheeky little dance on the sidelines, in homage to the hygiene rules that the league has to follow.
Schalke take five: Schalke became the first team to make use of the rule change that allows five substitutions in a game, with David Wagner using the maximum number at Dortmund. Favre, meanwhile, used four substitutions.
The increase in subs, approved by the game's lawmakers earlier this month, was adopted by the Bundesliga to limit the risk of injury following two months without matches.
Masked men line the dugout: Players on the bench wore protective masks in compliance with safety guidelines. Schalke even alternated players on the bench.
Dortmund salute empty wall: A resounding victory over Schalke would usually see Dortmund celebrating in front of a throbbing 'Yellow Wall', the massive terrace behind the goal that holds up to 25,000 fans.
However, with the stadium all-but-empty and the only noise being from players and coaches, Dortmund still jogged over to applaud the 'Sudtribune'.
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