Socially distanced celebrations, commentators commentating from home and substitutes wearing masks. Everything about the much anticipated return of Bundesliga.

Bundesliga quietly returned to action on the weekend and all the football fans saw what their beloved sport will look like for a foreseeable future. The first 'sanitized' ball was kicked in the Revierdebry as Borussia Dortmund beat Schalke 4-0 at an empty Signal Iduna Park. The BVB coach Lucien Favre described the atmosphere as "very, very weird."

BVB players celebrating Halaand's goal

The pre-game warm ups were carried out in small groups as per the guidelines by the German Football League(DFL). The substitutes sat at a distance from each other, wearing masks. The 4th official wore a mask throughout the game as well, as all the precautions were taken for the smooth sailing of the first matchweek post the Covid-19 break.

Substitutes sat at a distance from each other wearing masks

In these unprecedented times, the commentators were working on the games from their homes as well. Some Bundesliga commentators like Ian Darke and Paul Dempsey posted a video of working on the game from their homes, on their twitter feed.

On a weekend when all the games were played under the guidelines, the first real issue came up when Hertha Berlin players celebrated a goal. Hertha Berlin defender Dedryck Boyata raised some eyebrows when he kissed team-mate Marko Grujic on his cheek. The DFL announced that the Bundesliga players won't be punished for not social distancing during goal celebrations.

Boyata celebrates with Grujic

Erling Halland scored the first goal for Borussia Dortmund in their win against Schalke and a bizzare celebration followed. The players stood at a distance from each other and clapped without getting into contact with each other. This scenario might be something that all football fans have to get used to in coming weeks. The BVB players did their usual salute to an empty 'Yellow Wall' at the end of the game to thank the fans for their constant support.

Borussia Dortmund won the the derby and kept up the pressure on Bayern Munich who won away 2-0 away at Union Berlin to remain 4 points clear at the top of the table. RB Leipzig were held 1-1 at home by SC Freiburg and dropped down to 4th spot, losing ground on the league leaders.

The first matchweek post Covid-19 was carried out well and football fans all over the world will hope other league will follow suit.