Analysis: Germany's restart the litmus test for European soccer?

Tensions are rising ahead of the restart of the German Bundesliga this weekend.

Millions of football fans are eagerly awaiting kick-off while a recent surveys speak of a divided country. The latest surveys show that 56 percent of the German population oppose the restart of the league amid the coronavirus.

Statements by Real Madrid star Toni Kroos indicate that the German league's attempt to finish the 2019/2020 season could have a signal effect for the entire European soccer landscape.

"In Spain, many have the impression: If the Germans can't manage this, nobody else is going to make it," the German international commented.

His home-country will be under close observation, the 30-year-old added. Infection numbers have been lower than some major countries in Europe, the midfielder said, that indicates proper crisis management. "If they can't finish the season, who can? Considering that, all eyes are on Germany this weekend."

While all 36 professional teams of the first and second-tier are locked up in a quarantined hotel for seven days to prepare for the return to action, Fredi Bobic prefers to see the positive side of the situation.

"There is no pressure. We shouldn't feel like that. We ought to see the gigantic chance," the Eintracht Frankfurt sports director commented.

"We know we will be under observation. But this can be a role model not only for football but for professional sport in general," Bobic said.

The Bundesliga season has been postponed since mid-March and will become the first competition to reopen after the shutdown. The nine remaining rounds of matches will be played out until the end of July, the league association announced.

The association announced the league had approved a proposal to increase the number of substitutes from three to five to increase options for coaches and to prevent injuries to players who haven't competed on the field for months.

Several coaches called the restart a journey into the unknown. Hertha's new manager Bruno Labbadia spoke of a "blind flight."

Ahead of the delicate 180est Ruhr derby against Borussia Dortmund, Schalke coach David Wagner said the restart feels like the first pre-season game.

"To play such an important game without fans makes my heart bleed," said Dortmund managing director Michael Zorc.

As tensions rise, setbacks come along with the preparation based on a strict hygiene concept set up by the league association.

Augsburg coach Heiko Herrlich is going to miss his side's game against VfL Wolfsburg after violating quarantine rules. The former striker left the team hotel unauthorized last week to visit a nearby supermarket to buy toothpaste and hand lotion.

Herrlich admitted to having made a fatal mistake. To return to his job Herrlich has to face two infection tests and will miss his side's first game this Saturday.

A few days ago, Hertha striker Salomon Kalou was suspended after posting a video from inside the player's locker room showing several severe rule violations.

"Football will be entirely different as for us in the arena it will be less emotional. Maybe we should remember games of our early days as kids. We didn't care about spectators but wanted to win the game," Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann said.

TV BRICS reports with reference to Xinhua News Agency.


Photo: flickr.com