The Best Images From the First Weekend of the Bundesliga's Return

After a two-month stretch of the Belarusian and Nicaraguan leagues enjoying their place at the epicentre of live football, the Bundesliga returned to our screens this weekend.

As Erling Braut Haaland steered the ball into the back of the net for the first goal since the suspension of play in mid-March, there was a sense that some things never change. Yet, of course, so much has changed and in order to end the barren stretch of elite football the Bundesliga took every precautionary measure possible to ensure the safety of all participants.

This began before a ball had been kicked, and actually involved the balls themselves. For each game, 30 of the sport's most important component were to be used; with each one disinfected before kick off.

And it was the ball boys and girls who were given the task of maintaining the cleanliness of the equipment along with their own hygiene. Instead of handing the balls to the players they were left on pre-designated spots to maintain social distancing.

The message of hand washing (dutifully followed by the ball boy above) was keenly broadcast at RB Leipzig's Red Bull Arena. This advice was seen by less than 250 people in attendance, given one of the main stipulations regarding a return to live football was the lack of fans allowed in the stadium.

On the pitch RB Leipzig didn't get off the best start, drawing 1-1 with Freiburg, although Timo Werner was the hosts' standout performer on the day.

One of the rule changes made in light of the relatively quick return to action following restricted training, was the implementation of five substitutes per match. However, these subs were practicing social distancing and wearing masks, much like everyone in the stadium bar the 22 players on the pitch and the two managers.

For a league which prides itself on the atmosphere created by the passionate and sizeable crowds it attracts, each match was accompanied by an eerie lack of background noise - particularly fitting given matches behind closed doors are known as 'ghost games' in Germany. This was only punctuated by the thumps of the ball and barked instructions from the bench.

FC Köln, in typical fashion, took a unique approach to filling the vast swathes of empty seats, by adorning them with replica shirts and club memorabilia. It almost worked to perfection as The Billy Goats raced into a two goal lead against Mainz, only to throw their lead away and draw 2-2, to a chorus of precisely zero boos.

Along with the lack of fans with which to share the celebrations of a goal, players were strongly advised to avoid the normal high-fives and hugs which follow a successful strike, prompting some painfully pre-choreographed moves.

Borussia Dortmund and Erling Haaland brought out a clearly pre-planned routine consisting of both slow walking and shoulder shrugs.

Wolfsburg managed to control their emotions after a 91st-minute winner as Daniel Ginczek and Kevin Mbabu responsibly bumped wrists and feet.

Hertha Berlin didn't bother with any of that as they heartily celebrated each of their goals in a 3-0 win at Hoffenheim.

The normal post-match handshakes were understandably scrapped but Maximilian Arnold, ever the good sport, still insisted on thanking the officials with a very 'new normal' foot tap after Wolfsburg's 2-1 win.

After the match, despite the barren Yellow Wall - the stand at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion which is usually filled with 25,000 fans, singing and bouncing for the entire 90 minutes - the BVB players still saluted the empty seats.

Of the select group of essential personnel allowed into the stadiums, some members of the press made the cut and were able to conduct some social-distanced post-match press conferences.

Amid the turbulent circumstances of their return, Borussia Mönchengladbach were in sparkling form away to Eintracht Frankfurt, winning 3-1 which sent them third in the table. Marcus Thuram, son of Lilian, scored their second inside ten minutes and was keen to mark the victory with his usual corner flag based post-match celebration.

Although, the bewildered expression on his masked face suggests his teammates weren't quite so forthcoming to join in the flag-based fun.