Bundesliga return produces mixed emotions

The last few months have been difficult for most people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest concern was the health and human life. However, it is hard not to be selfish occasionally and wonder when our beloved game will return?

Yes, sure Belarus, Nicaraguan and now K-League are still playing. However, the major European leagues are not. That is about to change, as the German Bundesliga is set for a return to action on May 14^th after government approval.

Fans will be happy with Bundesliga return

I have to say a lot of fans will be happy that the Bundesliga is back, including myself. The German top-flight is my favourite football league. The downside is that there are no fans in the stadiums. However, for us football starved types it is at least a start, as some football is better than known.

The return will certainly make life slightly more bearable for the German public. I suspect there will be many foreign observers who it will help entertain too, as the Bundesliga is a brand throughout the world. This is the effect that the UK government hoped that the potential restart of the Premier League would have.

Germany in a healthier position

All the talk of football returning and lockdown eases seems to be incredibly dangerous in the UK. The country has the highest death rates due to Covid-19 in the whole of Europe. It is quite frankly disgusting the way that the government have handled the situation.

However, as it seems is always the case, though, Germany have managed the situation in a cool and measured way. While there have been around 150,000 reported cases of COVID-19 in the country, the death toll is a relatively small number at 6,300. Compared that the 30,000 people who have died in Britain, and you can see why the Bundesliga is close to restarting and the Premier League is not.

The Germans are better prepared and organised. Clubs will test players regularly and take every precaution they can to prevent the spread of the virus. German chancellor Angela Merkel has also stated that players or staff that contract the visit will not have to quarantine because the clubs have the resources to test the players.

The country, in general, seems to have the resources to cope with what has been a unique situation that the world has found itself in of late.

Looking forward to football

While most people realise the seriousness of COVID-19, it is not a sin for looking forward to football if it played in a safe manner. That means it does not put anybody in danger and the clubs have the right resources to conclude the league.

The Bundesliga will be an example for the Premier League and the likes of La Liga and Serie A if they are even contemplating a return to action in the near future. Hopefully, it all goes to plan and we will see some football soon.

As a big fan of the German top-flight, I am not going to lie I am looking forward to its return. It may be Bundesliga-lite, but it is still top-class players playing the game. It may be the best we are going to get for a good while if COVID-19 has anything to say about it.

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