The Premier League has officially resumed after a 100-day hiatus due to the unexpected rise of the coronavirus plague that the world is currently facing.
There have already been 12 matches since the resumption of the league, and while Manchester City were at their clinical best in a 5-0 win over Burnley on Monday night, most of the fixtures have confirmed fears that players are undercooked.
It will, it seems, take a while for them to adjust to the 'new normal'.
The goalless draw between Aston Villa and Sheffield United last week set the tone for the restart as VAR (video assistant referee) once again came under scrutiny.
Even the technology seems to be a bit rusty.
Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland collided with his team-mate from a free kick but after collecting the ball found himself beyond the goalline. The entrusted goalline technology failed to pick it up as it did not trigger referee Michael Oliver's watch. Nyland then quickly attempted to disguise the mishap as the referee waved 'play on'.
Referee Martin Atkinson was then in the firing line as he took charge of Brighton's 2-1 home win over Arsenal and he was attacked on social media for the way he officiated the match. For the 21 fouls that were committed and recorded, Atkinson only showed three yellow cards.
"Match-fitness" applies to officials as well.
If there was ever a team during the 2019/20 campaign you would put money on to win in an empty stadium, that side would certainly be log leaders Liverpool.
The Reds faced their crosstown rivals Everton in a match many thought would be a tough fixture but winnable for Jurgen Klopp's men.
The Liverpool onslaught lacked its usual bite as dangerman Mohamed Salah and left-back Andrew Robertson were not fit enough to start while Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino could not find the back of the net alongside Takumi Minamino.
Klopp has urged fans to give players time to adjust to the changes that they are experiencing by not having any fans in stadiums and also changes to their daily routines.
Players are regularly tested for coronavirus and have to go through several health protocols to not only play official matches, but to continue their usual training too.
While certain players have nursed themselves back from injury during the lengthy layoff, others faced the likelihood of picking up injuries.
Arsenal defender Pablo Mari and midfielder Granit Xhaka were short of match-fitness against Manchester City but were selected either way. Both players were substituted early due to injury in the first half while the rest of the team looked out of sorts as they tried to find their rhythm.
David Luiz would replace Mari and before the half-time whistle and the Brazilian's poor footing allowed Raheem Sterling to give City the lead. Less than 30 minutes later, Luiz was shown a red card for a challenge on Riyad Mahrez to equal Ibrahima Sonko's Premier League record of giving away four penalties in a single top-flight season.
The case for Luiz could also be a lack of match fitness, but his record in an Arsenal shirt this season shows rather bleak statistics while Sterling looked fit and hungry for goals throughout the match.
In the dying minutes of the match, 19-year-old Eric Garcia was stretchered off the pitch after a terrible collision with team-mate and goalkeeper Ederson. City clinched the victory as their muscle memory of winning games continued even if their opening 25 minutes looked unsettling at times, but the struggles with fitness for a number of players was clear.
Friday night's headlining match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also saw the return from injury of three big-name players.
Jose Mourinho's captain Harry Kane returned but his performance was lacklustre and he showed no signs of sharpness in front of goal while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was short of striking options in January as he signed Odion Ighalo, welcomed back Marcus Rashford and star midfielder Paul Pogba to full fitness.
Rashford and fellow strike partner Anthony Martial were not in sync for United as they failed to worry Spurs defensively. Pogba had a 30-minute second half spell and showed glimpses of why United need the Frenchman to start and remain fit.
The lockdown has forced players to keep fit and train in the confinements of their own homes and some players have clearly been affected by that.
Not being surrounded by your team-mates who test your daily awareness skills will take its toll on match fitness, and that is what we have seen so far.
Football is back, but players are showing that it will take a few more games before they become comfortable with the "new normal".