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A guide to the Bundesliga’s return: Teams, players and storylines to watch

By Graham Ruthven

Empty seats and a graffiti on the wall showing soccer socks and a flag in the colors of the German first division Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund are pictured in the stadium Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, western Germany, on May 5, 2020, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. - German football is waiting for the green light as during Chancellor Angela Merkel's crucial meeting with the Presidents of the Lander (regional states) on May 6, 2020 will be decided whether or not to allow the Bundesliga to resume, behind closed doors and on the basis of a draconian health protocol. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Empty seats and a graffiti on the wall showing soccer socks and a flag in the colors of the German first division Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund are pictured in the stadium Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, western Germany, on May 5, 2020, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. - German football is waiting for the green light as during Chancellor Angela Merkel's crucial meeting with the Presidents of the Lander (regional states) on May 6, 2020 will be decided whether or not to allow the Bundesliga to resume, behind closed doors and on the basis of a draconian health protocol. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The German Bundesliga returns to play this weekend as the first major league to come back after being put on hold by the pandemic.

It’s difficult to know how to greet the resumption of the 2019-20 Bundesliga season considering what is happening in the world at this moment. Indeed, soccer barely seems to matter right now as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict so many, but the return of the German top flight will offer an escape.

What’s more, the Bundesliga title race has been among Europe’s most compelling this season. Bayern Munich have enjoyed a resurgence after a difficult start, but Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are still hot on their tails. Borussia Monchengladbach, six points off the top, cannot be completely discounted yet either. Here are some things to look out for.

Bundesliga teams to watch

Borussia Monchengladbach — The Foals have enjoyed an exceptional first season under Marco Rose. They might have allowed their form to dip since the start of December, but Borussia Monchengladbach are still in title contention and have earned themselves a reputation as one of the most dynamic sides in Germany. They are certainly worth a watch.

Cardboard cut-outs with portraits of Borussia Moenchegladbach’s supporters are seen at the Borussia Park football stadium in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on April 16, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. – Large-scale public events such as football matches will remain banned in Germany until August 31 due to the coronavirus crisis, Berlin said on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, though it did not rule out allowing Bundesliga games to continue behind closed doors. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Cardboard cut-outs with portraits of Borussia Moenchegladbach’s supporters are seen at the Borussia Park football stadium in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on April 16, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. – Large-scale public events such as football matches will remain banned in Germany until August 31 due to the coronavirus crisis, Berlin said on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, though it did not rule out allowing Bundesliga games to continue behind closed doors. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hertha Berlin — It’s been a turbulent season at the Olympiastadion, with Hertha Berlin on their third manager after the ill-fated 10-week reign of Jurgen Klinsmann, but it’s for this reason that they make this list of teams to watch. They are among the Bundesliga’s least predictable and when Hertha are involved there is usually goals.

Schalke – The appointment of David Wagner last summer has proved to be a shrewd one, with the former Huddersfield Town boss turning around a team that very nearly suffered relegation from the Bundesliga last season. Schalke have become one of the most efficient sides in Germany under Wagner, with Suat Serdar and the American Weston McKennie thriving under the former USA international.

Bundesliga players to watch

Erling Haaland – The arrival of the Norwegian striker in January revitalized Borussia Dortmund and breathed new life into their title chances. Erling Haaland has netted nine goals in his first eight Bundesliga appearances, giving the Black and Yellow the cutting edge they had previously lacked. If the Bundesliga title race comes down to goals and goals alone, Haaland could be a major factor.

Thomas Muller – He looked all but finished at Bayern Munich under Niko Kovac, but Thomas Muller has been restored as a key figure by Hansi Flick, becoming Europe’s top assist-maker with 15 in the Bundesliga this season. Muller is back to his best and has been a driving force behind the Bavarians ever since the departure of Kovac last year.

Striker Thomas Mueller wears a face mask as he leaves after a training session of the German first division Bundesliga football club FC Bayern Munich on May 13, 2020 at the Bayern’s campus in Munich, southern Germany. – The Bundesliga returns on May 16, 2020 with Bayern facing Union Berlin on May 17 in an empty stadium due to the new coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Striker Thomas Mueller wears a face mask as he leaves after a training session of the German first division Bundesliga football club FC Bayern Munich on May 13, 2020 at the Bayern’s campus in Munich, southern Germany. – The Bundesliga returns on May 16, 2020 with Bayern facing Union Berlin on May 17 in an empty stadium due to the new coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Christopher Nkunku – Timo Werner has hogged most of the RB Leipzig-related headlines this season, firing 21 goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances, but Christopher Nkunku deserves just as much attention for what he has done. The Frenchman has thrived since arriving from PSG last summer, notching 12 assists for Julian Nagelsmann’s side. Indeed, Nkunku is RB Leipzig’s creator-in-chief.

Bundesliga storyline to watch

Can Dortmund’s young guns topple Bayern Munich’s Old Guard?

Both of these rivals have enjoyed an upswing in form since the turn of the year, with Bayern Munich now top of the Bundesliga and Borussia Dortmund four points behind them as their nearest challengers. On their respective positions, they are the best two teams in Germany again. Normal service has been resumed.

While Flick has managed to revitalise Bayern Munich’s Old Guard since his appointment as Kovac’s replacement, getting the best out of the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Muller and David Alaba, Dortmund have forged a team of hungry and talented youngsters. It’s a dynamic which could produce the most exciting German title race in years.

Haaland’s January arrival at the Westfalenstadion seemingly completed a side that already counted Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard and Achraf Hakimi as key components. Lucien Favre came close to losing his job as Dortmund boss before Christmas, but he could now stand a real chance of delivering the championship.

Next. Serie A – When and how will Italy’s top flight finally start up again?. dark

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