So, it all starts today, May 4.
Spain has announced the beginning of a four-phase plan to lift the country’s stringent lockdown.
During “phase zero,” as it’s been dubbed, professional sports leagues such as La Liga can go back to training.
That means footballers, coaches and staff can officially “return to work” from this morning (although it must be doubtful too many will), albeit in very differing circumstances from when they were last on the training ground in mid-March.
For a start, they will have to be tested before individual training begins and then undergo daily testing.
And it’s a gradual process too. Part of La Liga’s strict protocols involves training sessions progressing from individual to small group and then team training.
In fact, the country’s top division has created a detailed protocol for the return to training so proper health safeguards are observed.
Presumably, it will take time for all involved to adjust. It’s a massive change to the “norm” for football in Spain which was suspended indefinitely nearly two months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.
What of actual matches you may ask?
Well, now La Liga clubs will return to training after being given the green light by the Spanish government, the aim is a potential restart to the league in mid-June behind closed doors.
There are 11 rounds of matches remaining, with Barcelona two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Of course, the longer a period without competitive football, concerns afoot for La Liga clubs, both football-wise and financially.
Yet the risks of playing football during the pandemic are also clear for all to see and one such study has laid that bare.
The suggestion that fewer training sessions will be held over the next few months appears to be key to Spain’s plan to resume play.
The alteration of how training sessions are structured would be influenced by playing 11 matches in five weeks to complete the season.
According to this report, that would cause a loss of the protective effect that training usually gives against injuries. This is predicted to have a 4.5 per cent increase in injury rates.
So, there is much to consider for the football authorities. They will be the ones to decide on when professional sport resumes rather than the government, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed.
In football’s case, La Liga president Javier Tebas and Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales have been in consultation with Irene Lozano, the president of the National Sports Council, to discuss when the divisions can return.
The three parties came to an agreement to try their best to bring football back, and Sanchez alluded to it not being too far off a few days ago.
However, returning to training is one thing; an actual re-start of competitive matches – presumably behind closed doors – is very much another.
There are teams like Real, who are among the top title favourites according to the La Liga 2020 odds, that have already fixed their date to return to training.
Zinedine Zidane’s players and the employees who work around the players are scheduled to return on May 11 once they have taken the coronavirus tests to detect any possible cases in advance.
Across the city, Atletico Madrid – whose last action came days before the lockdown as they knocked out holders Liverpool to reach the Champions League quarter-finals – are due to return on May 8.
Diego Simeone’s squad will be allowed to return to work if everything is in order, although the Argentine manager will not be accompanied by many of his assistants due to a limitation on the number of staff allowed on site.
Meanwhile, Barca players will be tested for Covid-19 in midweek and, assuming the results are negative, can return to the training ground for individual sessions with the club’s physios.
Lionel Messi and co. are surely eager to create more La Liga 2020 highlights after their long break.
Social distancing will be implemented and players will change at home before arriving at the training ground and will wait until they get back home before having a shower.
These are baby steps, albeit steps in the right direction for a return to football and, who knows, perhaps a summer of club football we have never witnessed before.
There is still some way to go, though.
Even the possibility of playing the Copa del Rey Final, the all-Basque encounter between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, is not straightforward with UEFA setting an August deadline or the winners missing out on a Europa League spot next term if the match is not played on time.
Perceived pressure from all corners and an ever-changing picture only increases the uncertainty as SBOBET La Liga fans continue to wait for football to resume.
At least the imminent return to training is a start!
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