Football: Leaders Linz become first Austrian team to restart training
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Linzer Stadion, home to LASK Linz, on March 12, 2020.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PASCHING, AUSTRIA (REUTERS) - League leaders LASK Linz on Monday (April 20) became the first Austrian top-flight team to restart training amid the Covid-19 outbreak, with the players divided into small groups and observing social distancing guidelines.
Austria has become one of the first countries in Europe to loosen a lockdown imposed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and the government gave the go-ahead last Wednesday for professional teams to start training again.
Under government rules, the Linz players were divided into groups of six for practice and stayed two metres apart. Other Austrian teams were due to start training on Tuesday.
"We're all happy to be on the pitch again," said LASK captain Gernot Trauner.
The Austrian top flight is hoping to resume the season in mid-May though all games would have to be without fans for the foreseeable future.
"It's a completely new situation, we are starting from scratch," said LASK coach Valerien Ismael.
"We know what we have to do, we must respect the two metres distance and that is a challenge - but there is a good feeling and the important thing for the lads is to be back on the pitch after five-and-a-half weeks.
"This is all a change, but I think it is good the way it is now. I think we have found good solutions," added the Frenchman.
LASK's last match was on March 12 when they were thrashed 5-0 by visitors Manchester United in a Europa League lat 16, first-leg tie played behind closed doors.
They have a three-point lead over Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga with 10 games remaining and are chasing their first title since 1965.
