European Football Roundup 19/5/2020

BUNDESLIGA (HIGHLIGHTS)
Bundesliga’s back…with silent stadiums and social distancing subs. But anyway, it’s still great to see people with wands for feet kicking a ball around again. The Revierderby got things underway as BVB played like they’d never been away, polishing off Schalke 4-0 with Haaland opening the scoring at the end of a wonderful, flowing one touch move. The Foals joined them in keeping the pressure on the leaders with a stroll past Frankfurt. However, Bayern avoided the potential banana skin of Union away with a 2-0 win in the capital; they are averaging over 3 goals a game under manager Hansi Flick! Leipzig’s challenge stuttered as they scraped to a 1-1 home draw with Freiburg, while Koln uncharacteristically threw away a two goal lead against Mainz that allowed their opponents to ease away from danger. At the very bottom, Paderborn and Dusseldorf both failed to get on the scoresheet in their clash and remain in deep distress with Bremen, who rolled over as Leverkusen rolled in four. Elsewhere, Hertha stunned Hoffenheim 3-0 away and Wolfsburg snatched a last minute winner at the WWK Arena. (TABLE)

PREMIER LEAGUE
Players will engage in non-contact training in their clubs starting today with surprise inspections from an independent body aiming to ensure that rules are followed. The original planned start date of June 12th seems improbable, though, with over half of doctors at English clubs stating they didn’t understand what they were supposed to be doing to protect players against the coronavirus in a survey. Much like the rest of the country then. (TABLE)

LA LIGA
After only five positive tests for asymptomatic Covid 19 across the top two divisions last week, training has resumed in groups containing a maximum of ten players. La Liga boss Javier Tebas has been singing the praises of the Bundesliga and, if all goes well, Spain is heading for a return to action behind closed doors on June 12th. (TABLE)

SERIE A
Serie A is slated to return the following day (June 13th) with all 20 clubs voting in favour of the motion initially. However, dissent has emerged concerning the strict quarantine measures required, which could prove a spanner in the works. Inter are the ringleaders, with over half the league believed to be in agreement with the Nerazzurri. (TABLE)

LIGUE 1
League finished. Winners: PSG / Champions League: Marseille, Rennes / Europa League: Lille, Nice, Reims / Relegated: Amiens, Toulouse / Promoted: Lens, Lorient / Legal Action: Lyon, Amiens (TABLE)