Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Moenchengladbach v FC Cologne - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach, Germany - March 11, 2020 FC Cologne's Mark Uth in action with Borussia Moenchengladbach's Patrick Herrmann REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video
Borussia Moenchengladbach secured a narrow 2-1 win over Cologne on Wednesday in the first Bundesliga game to be played in front of empty stands due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Breel Embolo slotted in on 32 minutes and an own goal from Jorge Mere from an Embolo effort in the 70th doubled Gladbach's lead in a ghostly atmosphere at their cavernous Borussia Park stadium that is normally pulsating with crowds of 55,000.
Cologne pulled a goal back in the 81st through Mark Uth to inject some tension into a game that obviously lacked in atmosphere.
Fans watch the soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Cologne, that is played without spectators due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, in a beer hall in Cologne, Germany, March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
"The absence of fans had a massive effect," referee Deniz Aytekin told Sky. "It was difficult to remain focused throughout. I hope this is not a long-term thing. Without fans it is not even worth half as much."
Several thousand Gladbach fans had gathered outside the stadium and lit flares to celebrate.
The win lifted the Foals onto 49 points in fourth place, one behind third-placed RB Leipzig.
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Moenchengladbach v FC Cologne - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach, Germany - March 11, 2020 Borussia Moenchengladbach players celebrate their second goal during the match being played behind closed doors while the number of coronavirus cases grow around the world REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video
The game had been rescheduled after it was originally postponed last month due to a storm warning.
Germany's Bundesliga matches this weekend will all be played behind closed doors with federal states banning events with crowds of more than 1,000 in order to contain the spread of the virus.
Champions Bayern Munich are top on 55 points, four clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
Fans watch the soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Cologne, that is played without spectators due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, in a beer hall in Cologne, Germany, March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Toby Davis)
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Moenchengladbach v FC Cologne - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach, Germany - March 11, 2020 General view during the match being played behind closed doors while the number of coronavirus cases grow around the world REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-videoFans watch the soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Cologne, that is played without spectators due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, in a beer hall in Cologne, Germany, March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenSoccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Moenchengladbach v FC Cologne - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach, Germany - March 11, 2020 FC Cologne's Ismail Jakobs in action with Borussia Moenchengladbach's Breel Embolo REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-videoSoccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Moenchengladbach v FC Cologne - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach, Germany - March 11, 2020 Borussia Moenchengladbach's Breel Embolo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video
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