Paris (AFP) – Freiburg midfielder Jonathan Schmid said he is “not at all” afraid to return to the pitch but acknowledges that a second wave of coronavirus infections would put paid to German football’s plans to complete its interrupted season.
“Germany wants to finish their championship,” the 29-year-old Frenchman told AFP. “We’re training for that. We’ll be ready when it resumes.”
The German Football League (DFL) wants to restart matches in empty stadiums from May 16, providing it gets the final green light from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government. A decision is expected on Wednesday.
Those plans were thrown into question on Monday when the league said its testing of players, coaches and backroom staff had produced 10 positive cases. Three are known to be from top-flight side Cologne.
Germany has been less affected by the pandemic than other European countries, an outcome partly attributed to mass testing.
Schmid said any signs that football’s return had produced a new surge in infections would halt the restart plans.
“If there is a second wave and it affects some clubs, I think the season will be over,” said Schmid.
“The clubs don’t want to risk everything. But it’s also important to get back on track for the economic survival of the clubs.”
Despite having two children, Schmid said he was not worried about the possibility of infection.
“No, not at all afraid. If we’re allowed to do it, then it’s safe,” said Schmid.
“We get tested once a week. If I am positive, I will stay away from my children and my wife. That’s the advantage for us, we’re being followed.”
Most German clubs resumed training on April 7 but put in place stringent social distancing measures.
“At first it was weird. You arrive at the training area already changed and go straight home for a shower. We don’t have a lot of time to communicate either.
“We don’t shake hands, we greet each other from a distance. It feels weird. The coaches don’t want us to get too close to each other.
“But the most important thing is to get back on the pitch… with the ball, doing a few exercises and a fresh environment, it was a change compared to being at home!”
The training is evolving.
“Now we are working in groups of four. Avoiding contact; no tackling.”
“Football is a contact sport. A player needs that,” Schmid said.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3daPD6q
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