England winger Jadon Sancho scored a hat-trick and revealed a "Justice for George Floyd" protest message in Borussia Dortmund's 6-1 rout of bottom side Paderborn on Sunday that trimmed Bayern Munich's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points.

The outstanding Sancho, who now has 17 goals and 17 assists in the Bundesliga this season, joined a host of protests in the German top-flight over the weekend at the death of an unarmed black man in the United States.

Sancho later wrote on Instagram: "Delighted to get my first career hat trick, a bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change."

Achraf Hakimi also joined Jadon Sancho in dedicating his goal to George Floyd:

Justice for George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/lKrt4MQZpV

�?FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) May 31, 2020

Morocco international Achraf Hakimi lifted his jersey to deliver the same message as Sancho after scoring Dortmund's fourth goal at Paderborn.

George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis during an arrest by a police officer who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck, sparking protests across the US.

Marcus Thuram took a knee

Earlier on Sunday, Borussia Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram took a knee to protest Floyd's death. Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie wore a "Justice for George" armband on Saturday.

Thuram's gesture echoed past protests by National Football League players in the US in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Together is how we move forward, together is how we make a change #BLACK_LIVES_MATTERS pic.twitter.com/7OJUWqTLQZ

�?T I K U S (@MarcusThuram) May 31, 2020

Because of social distancing rules, goal celebrations were muted but after Thuram headed his team's second goal just before half time he took the opportunity to make a solitary statement, kneeling and bowing his head.

At half time, his club tweeted a photo with the caption: "No explanation needed."

After the game, Gladbach coach Marco Rose said Thuram had his backing.

"Marcus has made the point. He has set an example against racism that we all support," Rose said.

McKennie's 'Justice for George' armband

On Saturday, Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie wore a 'Justice for George' armband as part of the growing protests over the death of an unarmed black man during a police arrest in the United States.

@s04_en midfielder Weston McKennie @WMckennie wears an arm band in support of the late #GeorgeFloyd during a #Bundesliga match against @werderbremen_en #BundesligaIsBack #MinnesotaProtests #USMNT pic.twitter.com/EAB6OVXVSQ

�?Sulaiman Folarin (@sulaiman4real) May 30, 2020

"To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on too long feels good!!!," tweeted 21-year-old McKennie.

"We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lars Baron

Bayern Munich opened a 10-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 5-0 drubbing of relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf behind closed doors with the league's top-scorer Robert Lewandowski scoring twice.

Duesseldorf defender Mathias Joergensen scored an early own goal before Benjamin Pavard, Lewandowski (2) and Alphonso Davies hit the target.

With five games left, Bayern, who have won their last eight league games, are comfortably on course for an eighth straight league title. However, second-placed Borussia Dortmund could trim their lead on Sunday at bottom side Paderborn.

Several records fell as Lewandowski now has 43 goals in all competitions, a season's best for the Poland striker with games in hand. Also, head coach Hansi Flick claimed his 22nd win in his first 25 games, bettering the start made by Pep Guardiola when he took charge in 2013.

"Statistics and records don't interest me, what's important is to have a successful season," said Flick, in his first season since replacing Niko Kovac in November.

"At Bayern Munich, you are expected to win. I am very happy, we were very aggressive and didn't give them any chances."

Lewandowski, who had never previously scored in six games against Duesseldorf, made amends with goals either side of half-time.

Fortuna, who were unbeaten in their three games since the league resumed after a two-month coronavirus-enforced hiatus, were humbled at the Allianz Arena where they last poached a 3-3 draw in November 2018. They fell behind on 15 minutes when Joergensen turned the ball into his own net after Pavard mishit his shot.

Right-back Pavard then grabbed the second with a powerful header on 29 minutes before Lewandowski made it 3-0 just before the break after being presented with a tap-in by Thomas Mueller.

Duesseldorf were floored with two goals in as many minutes as Lewandowski profited again with another poacher's goal after Serge Gnabry's good work. Davies then scored the game's best goal.

After some high pressing, the Canadian teen won the ball in the Duesseldorf area, barged past a succession of defenders and fired home to make it 5-0 on 52 minutes.

US death protest

Werder Bremen boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win at Schalke, who are winless in 11 games and continue to plummet.

Midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt scored a first-half winner.

"This is a very, very important away win," said Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt.

"We have taken seven points from the last three games, but if you look at the table, we are still behind."

Bremen have spent more seasons in the Bundesliga than any other club, but currently sit second from bottom. However, Saturday's victory leaves them just three points from guaranteed safety with six games left.

They are two points behind Duesseldorf in 16th, which carries a relegation play-off at the end of the season. Werder could climb out of the relegation places for the first time since December on Wednesday if they beat Eintracht Frankfurt at home.

Bittencourt hit a stunning strike from just outside the box which beat Schalke's Bayern-bound goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel on 32 minutes.

Schalke succumbed to their fourth straight defeat, piling pressure on head coach David Wagner. 

In the same game, Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie wore a 'Justice for George' armband as part of the growing protests over the death of an unarmed black man during a police arrest in the United States.

@s04_en midfielder Weston McKennie @WMckennie wears an arm band in support of the late #GeorgeFloyd during a #Bundesliga match against @werderbremen_en #BundesligaIsBack #MinnesotaProtests #USMNT pic.twitter.com/EAB6OVXVSQ

�?Sulaiman Folarin (@sulaiman4real) May 30, 2020

"To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on too long feels good!!!," tweeted 21-year-old McKennie.

"We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard."

George Floyd died in Minneapolis in an arrest by a police officer who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck. 

Hertha on the rise

Hertha remain unbeaten with three wins and a draw since Bruno Labbadia took charge during the lockdown after their 2-0 win at home to Augsburg thanks for goals by Javairo Dilrosun and Krzysztof Piatek.

Having routed Leverkusen 4-1 away on Tuesday, Wolfsburg crashed to a 2-1 defeat at home to 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt.

Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada scored the winner 10 minutes from time while Frankfurt had replacement midfielder Lucas Torro sent off in the dying stages for a second yellow card.

Frankfurt took the lead when striker Andre Silva converted a penalty on 27 minutes, but Wolfsburg equalised when right-back Kevin Mbabu headed home on 58 minutes.

Hoffenheim are seventh after their 1-0 win at Mainz thanks to Ihlas Bebou who darted into the area, swept past two defenders, and fired home on 43 minutes.

On Friday, Leverkusen went third when Germany midfielder Kai Havertz became the first player in Bundesliga history to score 35 goals before his 21st birthday to seal a 1-0 win at Freiburg.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Christof Stache

RB Leipzig missed out on the chance to leapfrog Borussia Dortmund to second place, Schalke continued their poor form despite some standout displays and Paderborn boasted their own 'Gladiator' on Wednesday.

Here's a look at some of the notable moments from the third round of matches since football's restart in Germany.

Benchmarks 

As has been the case since the German top-flight resumed, hygiene measures were maintained throughout the midweek matches.

A steward at RB Leipzig's Red Bull Arena was caught cleaning one of the stadium's substitute benches at the break of the event-filled draw.

Players sat with at least one place between them as they watched on in eastern Germany.

The hosts looked set to hold on to valuable three points before Hertha Berlin's Krzysztof Piatek converted an 82nd-minute penalty in a 2-2 draw.

Werner wanders

Leipzig's Timo Werner has been linked with a move to Liverpool but it was a quiet display for the Germany forward in the Hertha draw.

He was photographed looking into the distance over an advertising board after he had run over the touchline.

Read | 'Like a school team': Nagelsmann slams ten-man Leipzig after Hertha draw

Werner was replaced by midfielder Hannes Wolf with 11 minutes remaining as coach Julian Nagelsmann attempted to secure the victory.

Speedy Matondo 

Wales' Rabbi Matondo has had a relatively quiet start to his time with Schalke scoring once in 24 games since arriving from Manchester City in January 2019.

But on Wednesday he made an impact on the Bundesliga's speed camera by running 36km/h in the loss at Fortuna Duesseldorf with only Borussia Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi having registered a quicker pace.

Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller compared his teammate Alphonse Davies to the Roadrunner after notching 35.3km/h during Tuesday's Klassiker.

McKennie's 'handshake'

Hertha Berlin's Dedryck Boyata apologised for breaching the league's strict hygiene protocols by kissing a team-mate earlier in the month.

Schalke's Weston McKennie appeared to do so too in celebrating his side's opener with a handshake with teammate Salif Sane.

The positive reaction was quickly dampened as Fortuna won the fixture thanks to a pair of quick-fire second-half goals.

'Gladiator' Gjasula

Despite the drastic changes in the Bundesliga due to strict health protocols, one thing remains the same - Paderborn's Klaus Gjasula continues to wear a protective helmet on the field.

His side remain rock bottom of the table after the goalless draw at Augsburg and face a tough task of staying in the top-tier a year after promotion.

'The Gladiator', as he is known, dons the head protection after suffering a broken cheek in 2013, according to local newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Martin Meissner

Germany gave football-starved fans reason to be cheerful on Saturday with the Bundesliga's return to action behind closed doors, on a day in which Borussia Dortmund hammered local rivals Schalke in an echoing Signal Iduna Park.

Here we at some of the most eye-catching things from a memorable day in the history of the sport:

Haaland keeps it socially distanced

Wonderkid striker Erling Braut Haaland began where he left off with the first Bundesliga goal of its restart after a two-month break caused by the coronavirus.

Haaland turned home Thorgan Hazard's low cross just before the half hour to open the scoring against Schalke. It was the 19-year-old's 10th goal in just nine Bundesliga appearances and set his team on their way to a thumping 4-0 derby victory.

Bundesliga debut ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Pokal debut ⚽️
Champions League debut ⚽️⚽️
Revierderby debut ⚽️

MAN ON FIRE pic.twitter.com/zcWvIlKZdb

�?Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 16, 2020

Instead of being mobbed by jubilant teammates, Haaland made sure that they all kept their distance as he bobbed a cheeky little dance on the sidelines, in homage to the strict hygiene rules that the league has to follow.

Schalke take five

Schalke became the first team to make use of the rule change that allows five substitutions in a game, with David Wagner using the maximum number at Dortmund.

Timo Becker replaced Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny with three minutes remaining as Schalke suffered a destruction at the hands of Lucien Favre's flamboyant side.

Favre, meanwhile, used four substitutions, with man-of-the-match Raphael Guerreiro replaced by Marcel Schmelzer in the final moments after adding to Haaland's opener with an impressive brace.

The increase in subs, approved by the game's lawmakers earlier this month, was adopted by the Bundesliga to limit the risk of injury following two months without matches.

Masked men line the dugout

As well as the unusual sight of normally packed stands shorn of the boisterous support that accompanies the Bundesliga, fans watching on TV saw players wearing masks on the sidelines.

Players on the bench wore protective masks in compliance with the stringent safety guidelines implemented to allow the Bundesliga to resume before Europe's other top leagues.

Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04's substitute practice social distancing on the bench.#Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/q0ku3jd9Jp

�?Scoreboard Digest (@scoreboarddg) May 16, 2020

Schalke alternated players on the bench in order to respect social distancing rules while a contact sport was being played out on the field.

Augsburg fans question restart

While fans across the world celebrated being able to watch top-level live football after a two-month drought, some supporters questioned the wisdom in restarting the league.

Augsburg followers hung a banner in front of an empty stand that read "Football gives life -- your business is sick" in protest at football being played while the pandemic still takes lives across Europe.

There was little joy for the home side on the pitch either, with Daniel Ginczek's stoppage time strike handing Wolfsburg a 2-1 win and deepening Augsburg's relegation fears.

Dortmund salute empty wall

A resounding victory over Schalke would usually see Dortmund's players celebrating in front of a throbbing 'Yellow Wall', the massive terrace behind the goal at Signal Iduna Park that holds up to 25,000 passionate fans.

No matter how far you are, you’ll always be our heart and soul.

The Yellow Wall pic.twitter.com/V9vuE6qZ7p

�?Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 16, 2020

However, with the stadium all-but-empty and the only noise being the cheers and clapping of players and coaches, Dortmund still jogged over to applaud the 'Sudtribune' in honour of the fervent support that usually pours from the stand.

Clean balls, please

The decision to allow German football to restart came with a host of government regulations, including the masks on the bench and plexiglass separating players and journalists for post-match interviews.

All match-balls will be disinfected at half-time in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. pic.twitter.com/xpBg7qDJGV

�?Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 16, 2020

One of the rules states that match balls need to be regularly disinfected by personnel wearing gloves, as the German Football League attempts to limit the spread of the virus and finish the 2019-20 season.

Leipzig go one step beyond 

RB Leipzig came up with a novel solution to helping players obey German Football League (DFL) rules which stipulate there must be at least 1.5 metres distance between each person on the substitutes bench.

With not enough room in the subs area for the matchday squad, some players had to sit in the stands, which are three metres above the pitch and the dugout on the sidelines.

So Leipzig borrowed a set of aircraft stairs which are normally used to board and disembark passengers from planes, from nearby Halle/Leipzig airport.

"Special situations require special measures. We are happy to help," airport spokesman Uwe Schuhardt told Bild.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Sascha Schuermann

Borussia Dortmund's young stars Erling Braut Haaland and Jadon Sancho will be hunting more goals on Saturday in "the most unusual derby in history" against Schalke as the German Bundesliga returns behind locked doors.

Dortmund usually expect 82,000 spectators at Signal Iduna Park for a home derby, but the stadium will be near-empty with only a handful of media and officials admitted.

Even national team coach Joachim Loew will not be allowed in to watch his Germany players live on their return to action.

"It will be the most unusual derby in history," former Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl told German daily Welt.

Normally, a home derby against Schalke comes alive "through the fans, from their emotions, from the enthusiasm in the stadium," Kehl added.

Dortmund are looking to close the four-point gap behind leaders Bayern Munich, who visit Union Berlin on Sunday.

Read | Bundesliga is back, so can Dortmund catch Bayern?

However, Dortmund's iconic south stand, dubbed "The Yellow Wall" and normally packed with 25,000 passionate fans will - like the rest of the stadium - stand empty.

"The players will miss the chance for extra motivation by the fans and the atmosphere," admitted Kehl.

While league action in England, Spain and Italy is still at least a month away, the German Football League (DFL) has drawn up detailed hygiene guidelines to restart.

The Bundesliga is set to become the first top European league to return during the pandemic, which has so far claimed around 7,700 lives in Germany.

At games around the country, substitutes will wear masks, goal celebrations will be replaced by elbow taps while handshakes and hugs before kick-off are a no-go.

"A lot of things will start from scratch on Saturday," Dortmund winger Julian Brandt told Sky.

"There will be no real advantages and disadvantages to playing home or away.

"In the end, it depends on who best accepts this situation and can best deal with it."

The pressure is on Haaland, 19, and Sancho, 20, to continue their goal-rich partnership, despite the empty terraces, and steer injury-depleted Dortmund to victory. 

Midfield enforcers Emre Can and Axel Witsel are out with muscle strains, while playmaker Marco Reus is recovering from a groin problem.

Haaland was in stunning form when the league was suspended in mid-March with nine goals in eight Bundesliga appearances since joining from Salzburg.

Sancho also terrorised defences with 14 goals and 16 assists in 23 league games. 

At third-placed RB Leipzig, Germany striker Timo Werner is aiming to move closer to his goal target for the season against Freiburg on Saturday.

Read | Things you need to know before Bundesliga 2019/20 resumes

"Not many players my age have scored 20 goals in a season once and I've done it twice," said the 24-year-old Werner who has netted 21 times this term. "I'd like to score 30 in a season."

Julian Nagelsmann's Leipzig trail leaders Bayern by five points following draws against Leverkusen and Wolfsburg before matches were halted due to the virus outbreak.

One to watch: Robert Lewandowski

The league's top scorer is back from injury and looking to add to his 25 goals this season on Sunday against Union in Berlin.

With nine games left, the 31-year-old Poland international is set to beat his previous best haul of 30 league goals, achieved in both 2015/16 and 2016/17.

It will also be worth watching Bayern's Canadian teen Alphonso Davies, 19, who has extended his contract until 2025 after several impressive displays at left-back. 

Key stats 

39 - the goals Lewandowski has scored in 33 matches in all competitions this season.

40 - the record number of league goals scored for Bayern by West Germany legend Gerd Mueller in 1971/72.

40 - the goals Haaland has scored this season in 33 games for Dortmund and former club Salzburg, including 10 in the Champions League. 

Fixtures (all times 1330 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04, RB Leipzig v Freiburg, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn, Augsburg v VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Bor. Moenchengladbach (1630)

Sunday

Cologne v Mainz, FC Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (1600)

Monday

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (1830)

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ina Fassbender

Schalke players have agreed to partially forego their wages until the summer in order to limit the financial damage caused by the global pandemic, the Bundesliga club announced on Friday.

"The first team players have agreed with the club's leadership that they will waive parts of their salaries and bonuses until 30th June 2020," Schalke said in a statement.

The move would help protect the jobs of around 600 Schalke employees and would relieve the club of "millions" of euros worth of costs, the statement added.

Read | Atletico Madrid join Espanyol in requesting player, staff pay cuts

"That the players have recognised their responsibility in this way is a great sign of loyalty," said Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider.

"It's a clear signal: we all stand together for our Schalke, not just in good times, but above all in bad times."

ℹ️ The #S04 players have agreed to waive their salaries to support the club and its staff during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. pic.twitter.com/Bb7HAnQhVW

�?FC Schalke 04 ( ) (@s04_en) March 27, 2020

Coach David Wagner and other club directors would also "make contributions" the club confirmed.

With the Bundesliga suspended until at least the end of April and this season's TV revenues still in the balance, Schalke directors had previously warned that the "existence of the club" was at stake in the crisis.

Read | Barcelona to cut salaries in virus fight

They are not the only German club at which players have taken a salary cut in recent weeks.

Bayern Munich stars have agreed to forego a fifth of their normal wages, while a similar scheme has been proposed at Borussia Dortmund.

Players at Union Berlin and Werder Bremen have also agreed to wage cuts.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Sascha Schuermann

German champions, Bayern Munich have completed the signing of 23-year-old keeper Alexander Nubel from Schalke on a free transfer. The youngster, who is tipped as the long-term successor to Manuel Neuer for both club and country, will join the Bavarians at the end of the season on a five-year contract.

The signing, in one way or the other, leaves a big question-mark over the role of Manuel Neuer once the youngster dons the Bayern jersey starting next season. At 33, the German international still has a lot of years left in him and is clearly not willing to give up his place in the team.

ℹ️ #FCBayern have signed Alexander Nübel for the 2020/21 season. pic.twitter.com/JeqJ8jA86q

�?FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 4, 2020

As far as Nubel is concerned, the keeper has been on the rise since making his debut as a 19-year-old. And while the initial years were marred with struggles and lack of game-time, the 2018-19 season proved to be the breakthrough campaign. His then manager, Domenico Tedesco instilled him between the sticks and the current manager, David Wagner made him Schalke’s captain at the start of the current season.

By December 2019, Schalke confirmed that the youngster will not be signing a new deal. As of now, Nubel is out serving a four-game ban for putting in a terrible tackle on midfielder Mijat Gacinovic.

Read | Sarpreet Singh becomes first Indian origin player to play for Bayern Munich

It is being said that both Neuer and Nubel will rotate between the posts to make sure the latter gets enough opportunities for progression. But it remains to be seen how Bayern handles the situation. Germany’s No. 1 shirt has already seen its fair share of controversies when Uli Hoeness sent out a warning that Bayern would stop sending their players for international duties if Neuer is replaced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the national set-up.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are looking to offload long-time servant and World Cup winner, Jerome Boateng in the January transfer window as the likes of Juventus and Arsenal seem interested in acquiring his services.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ina Fassbender