Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE GERMANS PROVED IT CAN BE DONE Ex-gunner Podolski hails Bundesliga’s return
LUKAS PODOLSKI hailed the efficient return of the Bundesliga saying: “Once again the Germans have proven we can do it.”
Robert Lewandowski scored his 40th goal of the season as Bayern Munich completed the weekend’s fixtures and re-established a fourpoint lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at Union Berlin.
There were controversies. Hertha Berlin players were criticised for group goal celebrations and microphones picked up Schalke’s Jean-clair Todibo swearing at Erling Haaland during Borussia Dortmund’s win at their empty Signal Iduna Park ground.
With eight games played, the most important results will be from the next round of coronavirus tests on all players, staff and officials. But with the world of sport – including the Premier League – watching closely, the return was generally a success on and off the pitch.
No fans gathered outside stadiums – one spectator was removed from a tree by police near the Union Berlin ground – and no reason emerged not to continue the “experiment” next week.
Former Arsenal forward Podolski, now in Turkey with Antalyaspor, said: “We as the Bundesliga, we as Germans, have once again proven we can do it. In terms of discipline, organisation, cohesion.”
Manchester City’s Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan added: “As expected, very strange without fans. Still, it’s fun to finally see football again.” Zlatan
Ibrahimovic (right) added: “They say it, they do it. Thank you Bundesliga.”
Union’s Swiss coach Urs Fischer was not allowed on the bench for Bayern’s visit having returned from Zurich after the death of his fatherin-law. He can only rejoin the squad by passing two Covid-19 tests.
Hertha defender Dedryck Boyata will not be punished for kissing onloan Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic while celebrating an own goal in a 3-0 win at Hoffenheim.
Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia said: “Emotions are also a part of it, otherwise we don’t need to play this game.” But Werder Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt, who side host Bayer Leverkusen tonight, said: “Guidelines that are relatively clear were disregarded.”