“Ghost games” are sporting matches, in this case football (soccer) matches, without spectators in the stadium. Games behind closed doors, in other words.

The German Bundesliga will pick up its season this weekend after a two-month break. No matter what happens now, the league is determined to finish.

The plan to put German soccer back on the field this weekend hinged on more moving parts than a Volkswagen. Clubs had to conduct more than 2,000 coronavirus tests. Chancellor Angela Merkel needed to give her blessing. The Bundesliga drew up a protocol to disinfect balls mid-game.