Bayer Leverkusen have moved into a secluded hotel outside the city as they gear up to face Werder Bremen on Monday evening.
The German club’s last fixture came against Rangers at Ibrox on 12 March. They ran out 3-1 winners on the night, but the second leg is yet to be played amid the global health crisis.
Conditions have improved to the extent that domestic matches have been cleared to return in Germany this weekend, though, and the eyes of European football are on the Bundesliga amid these unprecedented times.
Leverkusen’s first game back is taking place a three-hour drive away in Bremen but the players and staff are currently cut off from the outside world at their secluded pre-match base in Wermelskirchen.
A video posted on the club’s Twitter account shows the impressive venue and follows the players – all donning facemasks – exiting the team bus and heading inside.
CEO Fernando Carro explains that the club didn’t have much time to make plans but that they wanted accommodation away from the training ground and that their team doctor had approved the venue in advance.
“We think it’s a privilege to play Bundesliga again,” he continued. “We want to uphold the trust of the politicians.”
“We are thankful for this and will do everything we can to make sure it runs smoothly.”
https://twitter.com/bayer04_en/status/1260382097258287104
Leverkusen are currently fifth in the league table and carried an outstanding run of form into that first leg clash at Ibrox.
With a tally of 47 points, they are enjoying their best season for nine years and are just four points adrift of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with nine games remaining.
Contrastingly, their opponents on Monday night, Werder Bremen, are second from bottom and eight points from safety having lost five of their last six matches before the suspension.
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