EURO LEAGUES KNOW HOW TO DO IT

POSTPONEMENTS: 0

No top-flight games called off but many being played behind closed doors again. Bayern Munich asked for their recent game against Borussia Monchengladbach to be postponed with nine of their team out after a rise in cases over the winter break. But as long as a club has at least 16 eligible players with nine first-team regulars, then the game goes ahead. So Bayern played, gave a 19-year-old his first start and brought a 16-year-old off the bench, and won. League are coming under pressure to relax the rules, though.

POSTPONEMENTS: 0

Spain know how to do it. Rising cases but no games postponed. The league and clubs committed to playing youngsters and handing out debuts. As long as there are 13 available players with at least five first-teamers then the game is played. If they cannot muster a side, teams are allowed to postpone just one game before April. Any more, they have to forfeit. Barcelona beat Mallorca earlier this month with only nine first-team players and a bunch of kids.

POSTPONEMENTS: 4

Chaos. Spikes in cases led some regional health authorities to force local teams into quarantine. The league, though, refused to postpone games, which led to farcical scenes as Inter Milan were forced to turn up to their match at Bologna despite the hosts being unable to play. Common sense has prevailed with rules now brought in to allow games to be postponed if nine of the 25-man squad test positive.

POSTPONEMENTS: 3

For games to be called off in Ligue 1, more than 10 of a club’s 30-man squad must be unavailable. More than 100 players in Ligue 1 have tested positive since Christmas, including PSG star Lionel Messi. Montpellier’s game against Troyes and Lorient’s match against champions Lille were both called off in the first week of Ligue 1’s return from their winter break.