Chelsea’s next (and, barring a miracle, probably final) opponents in the Champions League this season (if there is a season) have returned to training, with the first session held on Monday.

It was of course far from a normal training session, but as club captain (and not Chelsea transfer target) Manuel Neuer reflected afterwards, it was a great feeling for the players to be in a semi-social setting and work with the ball at their feet.

“It was certainly a very unusual feeling holding a training session in small groups today, but it was also nice to see the boys in person again. I’d like to thank the club and all the helpers who have made it possible for us to complete football-specific training on the pitch again during these difficult times.”

-Manuel Neuer; source: FC Bayern

Bayern were adamant that all hygiene measures and social distancing guidelines were followed, so the types of drills that were completed included only a bit of running, a bit of shooting, and a few technical drills — all done in small groups of five or fewer.

Still, better than nothing, and perhaps a glimmer of hope that there’s normal life on the distant horizon. While no league is anywhere near ready to resume playing, this is probably a method that other teams going forward can use at some point as well (depending on local government guidance of course*).

A few other teams in the Bundesliga, including Borussia Mönchengladbach and Wolfsburg held training sessions this week as well. The BuLi has been on break since March 13, which is the same day the Premier League officially suspended the season as well.

* i.e. not like José Mourinho, who decided to hold a fitness session for a couple of his players in public. LOL.