Around 13,000 cutouts filled the stands Saturday as Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted Bayer Leverkusen in a game that could help decide Champions League qualification.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Even when German fans are stuck at home, they can still be seen in the stadium.

Around 13,000 cutouts filled the stands on Saturday as Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted Bayer Leverkusen in a Bundesliga game which could help decide Champions League qualification.

Gladbach fans took pictures at home in a shirt or scarf and paid 19 euros ($20.70) to be turned into one of the “Pappkameraden” or “cardboard companions.” Season-ticket holders have their cutout placed in their usual spot, though some fan groups denounced the idea.

“It’s better to play in front of dolls than nothing at all,” Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said before the game.

It was Gladbach’s first at home since the Bundesliga restarted without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The cutouts didn’t do Gladbach much good