Hertha out for Union revenge
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Braut Haaland was all smiles as he aims to continue his scoring streak. Photo: Collected
Hertha Berlin can look to build on the winning go back to Bundesliga action last weekend following coronavirus suspension and avenge November's derby defeat by city rivals Union when the pair meet on Friday in the German capital.
Union, the side from the east of Berlin, pulled off a famous 1-0 win over their west Berlin rivals when the teams met for the first time in the most notable division this season.
The return match at Hertha's Olympic Stadium home would in normal times have been a 74,000 sellout.
"Most of us remember the match at the Alten Foersterei. It had been a black, black, day. Now we have the opportunity to put it behind us simply a bit," said Hertha's general manager Michael Preetz.
"The conditions are incredibly different, therefore it's a different type of derby," added Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia, who started with a win in his first match last Saturday.
The Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume last weekend following two-month shutdown, with draconian hygiene measures enforced at all matches across the country.
Players are undergoing regular virus tests while games are being played behind closed doors within strict guidelines approved by the government.
Germany's top two tiers can pay tribute to the victims of the virus outbreak during the period of the next two rounds of matches. A lot more than 8,000 people have died in the country, which has reported over 175,000 cases of COVID-19.
Players may also wear black armbands and observe an instant of reflection prior to the start of every match.
Borussia Dortmund will attempt to keep pace with leaders Bayern Munich away to Wolfsburg before Tuesday's crucial top-two showdown at Signal Iduna Park, although they may be without captain Marco Reus for the remainder of the season due to a thigh injury.
Bayern, four points clear at the very top, host Eintracht Frankfurt, who won 5-1 in the reverse fixture.
Champions League quarterfinalists RB Leipzig head to Mainz on Sunday, having have fallen behind in the title chase after three successive draws.
TV Times
SATURDAY
Star Sports Select 2
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund
Live from 7:30pm
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt
Live from 10:30pm
Star Sports Select 1
Borussia M'gladbach v Bayer Leverkusen
Live from 7:30pm
SUNDAY
Star Sports Select 2
Schalke v Augsberg
Live from 5:30pm
Mainz v Leipzig
Live from 7:30pm
FC Koln v Fortuna Dusseldorf
Live from 10:30pm
TUESDAY
Star Sports Select 2
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich
Live from 10:30pm
Werder Bremen v Borussia M'gladbach
Live from 12:30am (Wednesday)
