Players wearing masks on to the pitch, no fans, and new strict rules, but live football is back - in pictures

Bundesliga 2 returns to action in Germany, with the main event kicking off later

Sandhausen players take off their protective face masks while entering the pitch prior to the German Bundesliga second division soccer match between Erzgebirge Aue and Sandhausen in Aue. Getty

The official Derbystar match ball of the Bundesliga prior to the German Bundesliga second division soccer match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and SV Sandhausen in Aue, Germany. EPA

Jordi Osei Tutu (L) of Bochum celebrates after scoring during the German Bundesliga Second Division soccer match between VfL Bochum 1848 and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at Vonovia Ruhrstadion in Bochum, Germany. EPA

Media arriving at the stadium have their temperature checked before the Second Bundesliga match between SSV Jahn Regensburg and Holstein Kiel at Continental Arena in Regensburg, Germany. Getty

Dennis Diekmeier and Ivan Paurevic of SV Sandhausen wear medical face masks prior to the Second Bundesliga match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and SV Sandhausen at Erzgebirgsstadion on May 16, 2020 in Aue, Germany. Getty

Referee Martin Petersen (C) speaks to Marco Gruettner (L) of Jahn Regensburg and Hauke Wahl of Holstein Kiel before the German Bundesliga Second Division soccer match between SSV Jahn Regensburg and Holstein Kiel at Continental Arena in Regensburg, Germany. EPA

Head coaches Christian Eichner (L) of Karlsruhe and Dimitrios Grammozis of Darmstadt do an elbow bump prior to the Second Bundesliga match between Karlsruher SC and SV Darmstadt 98 at Wildparkstadion in Karlsruhe, Germany.he end of the season will be played behind closed doors. Getty

Anthony Losilla #8 of Bochum celebrate with his teammates after he scores the opening goal during the Second Bundesliga match between Bochum 1848 and Heidenheim 1846 at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on May 16, 2020 in Bochum, Germany. Getty

Lee Jae-Song (L) of Holstein Kiel celebrates after scoring during the German Bundesliga Second Division soccer match between SSV Jahn Regensburg and Holstein Kiel at Continental Arena in Regensburg, Germany. EPA

Aue's Dimitrij Nazarov scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the German Bundesliga second division soccer match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and SV Sandhausen in Aue, Germany. EPA

Anthony Losilla (L) of Bochum scores the opening goal during the German Bundesliga Second Division match between Bochum 1848 and Heidenheim at Vonovia Ruhrstadion in Bochum, Germany. EPA

Pascal Testroet of Erzgebirge wears a disposable face mask on the substitutes' bench during the Bundesliga 2 match between Erzgebirge Aue and Sandhausen at Erzgebirgsstadion on May 16, 2020 in Aue, Germany. Getty

The Karlsruhe bench with players and team members keeping the required distance during the German Bundesliga second division soccer match between Karlsruher and Darmstadt 98 at Wildparkstadion in Karlsruhe, Germany. EPA

Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04 - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany. Stewards wearing protective face masks stand in front of turnstiles outside the stadium before the match. Reuters

Head coach Christian Eichner of Karlsruhe stands at the sideline during the German Bundesliga second division soccer match between Karlsruher SC and SV Darmstadt 98 at Wildparkstadion in Karlsruhe, Germany. EPA

A general view outside the PreZero Arena prior to the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Hertha BSC in Sinsheim, Germany. Getty

A TV camera man is seen during the German Bundesliga Second Division soccer match between VfL Bochum 1848 and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at Vonovia Ruhrstadion in Bochum, Germany. EPA

A member of staff from FC Erzgebirge Aue hands out disposable protective face masks during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and SV Sandhausen at Erzgebirgsstadion In Aue, Germany. Getty

Journalists work in the media stand during the Second Bundesliga match between Karlsruher SC and SV Darmstadt 98 at Wildparkstadion in Karlsruhe, Germany. Getty

Jan Hochscheidt of FC Erzgebirge Aue (R) is challenged Leart Paqarada of SV Sandhausen (L) during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and SV Sandhausen at Erzgebirgsstadion in Aue, Germany. Getty

Salih Oezcan of Holstein Kiel takes a corner during the Second Bundesliga match between SSV Jahn Regensburg and Holstein Kiel at Continental Arena in Regensburg, Germany. Getty

A steward looks on from the stands during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and SV Sandhausen at Erzgebirgsstadion on May 16, 2020 in Aue, Germany. Getty

Thomas Reis, head coach of Bochum gives instructions during the Second Bundesliga match between Bochum 1848 and Heidenheim at Vonovia Ruhrstadion in Bochum, Germany. Getty

Germany's second tier became the first top professional European league to resume following the coronavirus lockdown on Saturday, ahead of the Bundesliga restarting later in the evening.

Four matches were underway behind closed doors and with strict health guidelines in place.

However, the game between Hanover and Dynamo Dresden was postponed after the Dresden squad was forced to quarantine for two weeks due to two positive tests for Covid-19.

South Korean Lee Jae-Sung scored the first Bundesliga goal in over two months by giving Holstein Kiel a third-minute lead at Regensburg.

The leagues are hoping to conclude by the end of June, having been suspended in mid-March, with nine rounds of regular-season matches to be played.