Empty seats at Borussia-Park football stadium are pictured on March 10, 2020 in Monchengladbach. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

BERLIN - The re-scheduled duel between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Cologne this Wednesday evening for the first time in the Bundesliga's history will take place behind closed doors.

The authorities of the city of Moenchengladbach announced the decision this Tuesday morning.

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It was extremely tough to stay focused. To be honest, it was a wired experience, absolutely annoying

Horst Heldt, Sporting director, Cologne

More so-called "Geisterspiele" (ghost games) are expected to be carried out next weekend when the first division enters its 26 rounds of matches of the 2019/2020 season. First reports speak of the fixed decision to run the derby between Dortmund and Schalke without fans.

Excluded fans can expect games shown in free TV formats. In Germany operating pay-TV stations said negotiations are in progress.

But how do teams prepare for games in silence when only arena staff, medical staff, and media is allowed in?

"To some extent, it is unpredictable what we have to face," said Cologne coach Markus Gisdol.

The 50-year-old said a special training session would be set up this Tuesday in the club's home arena to simulate what it is like to play without the support of fans.

Gisdol announced that he would rethink its starting eleven and game squad as he intends to investigate his players' mental robustness.

Cologne's coach Markus Gisdol walks to an interview prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund v FC Cologne in Dortmund, on Jan 24, 2020. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

"To play a game in an empty arena is a mental challenge," he underlined, adding Cologne is a side highly depending on atmospheric support.

Players need to forget about the circumstances and try to focus on the opponent and the game entirely. That, he emphasized, is much more challenging than it appears at first glance.

"We won't present our solutions for that problem to the public, but everyone can be sure we will set up a special match plan," the coach commented.

Cologne's sporting director Horst Heldt could talk about his experience as a player back in August 2013. The former midfielder had to through a game behind closed doors with the FC Schalke 04 in a Champions League qualifier against the Greek side of POAK Salonika due to a ban after fan riots.

"It was extremely tough to stay focused. To be honest, it was a wired experience, absolutely annoying."

Heldt said both teams face the same challenge: "No team has an advantage or is suffering from a disadvantage if playing on home soil or away."

Heldt stressed it is essential "to rely on as many usual patterns as possible to provide security. We need to deal with the problem by using pragmatic action."

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo might have provided an example to follow. When turning up for the duel against Inter, he clapped hands with imaginary fans with a smile running over his face.

When warming up on the pitch, he waved with his hands to the stands imaginarily greeting fans who weren't there.

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Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich said the Bavarian team discussed possible games behind closed doors. "We should take into consideration how many business sectors suffer from substantial losses. Football hasn't been affected very much so far. If it happens, we have to get along with the new situation," the German international said.

Augsburg's newly appointed coach Heiko Herrlich said he is going to start with special preparation right away. "We need to talk about playing in an empty arena to get our minds prepared," he said.