Dortmund proud to get Bundesliga ball rolling
But BVB stresses Germany's resumption is no blueprint for CSL and rest of world
Two match days into the Bundesliga's restart, Borussia Dortmund could hardly have scripted a smoother return. The German giant, though, remains reluctant to dish out advice on the matter as the Chinese Super League continues to consider how best to kick off its delayed 2020 kickoff.
With the Bundesliga becoming the first major European league to resume amid the COVID-19 crisis on May 16, Dortmund wrote a memorable footnote for the occasion by netting the first goal of the restart in a 4-0 Revierderby derby rout of Ruhr rivals Schalke.
Scorer Erling Haaland even marked his feat with a socially distanced celebration-almost enough to make up for the total lack of fans in the stands.
On Saturday, second-place Dortmund followed that up with a 2-0 win at Wolfsburg. Most importantly, it appears to be a case of 'so far, so good' as far as health and safety is concerned.
But Dortmund managing director Carsten Cramer says he and the rest of the league aren't about to start patting themselves on the back yet. And he is keen to stress that the Bundesliga's return should not be viewed as some kind of blueprint for the CSL and other leagues as they ponder resumptions of their own.
"Each of us has to find our own solution. The only thing I would send as a message around the world is that it is possible to restart," Cramer told China Daily in a video-chat interview over the weekend.
"Of course, much work and preparation has to be done but as long as you are able to convince stakeholders, as long as you are able to present a concept and ensure that everyone is interested to give you the opportunity to restart.
"That's my recommendation: Not only to accept the situation, not only to complain about the current situation. And that's the message from German football: It is possible."
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