Bundesliga set to return in May

The Bundesliga will return in the second half of May as Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday rubber-stamped its return. ​

Germany’s top league – which was suspended in mid-March – is set to become the first of Europe’s top five leagues to initiate a restart since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic; matches will be played behind closed doors as expected.

While neighbours France and Portugal have already terminated their respective leagues, there have been significantly fewer reported deaths in Germany, while testing capabilities have been relatively high from the onset.

Bundesliga bosses to earmark a specific date for football to return in Germany.

On Monday, the German Football League revealed 1,724 tests had been carried out on players and staff between the top two tiers of football.

Ten positive tests were reported, and in a second round of testing three staff members from second division side, Erzgebirge Aue tested positive, leading to the entire squad being placed into self-isolation.

With the Bundesliga set to return the final nine games of the season can now be played. Bayern Munich sits four points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the first place as things stand.

Bayer Leverkusen is also just two points behind Borussia Monchengladbach in fourth, while a fight to beat the drop also remains, just four points separating Werder Bremen and Fortuna Dusseldorf in 15th and 16th respectively.