Borussia Dortmund Face Delays After Manchester City Defeat as Players Stranded on Runway

Borussia Dortmund Face Travel Delays After 4-1 Defeat to Manchester City

Borussia Dortmund’s return journey from Manchester on Thursday became an unexpected continuation of the frustration that followed their 4-1 Champions League loss to Manchester City.

The team, coached by Niko Kovac, was scheduled to land back at Dortmund Airport around 2:00 PM. Instead, the flight did not touch down until 4:51 PM, with the squad experiencing a lengthy delay before departure.

Shortage of Ground Staff Sparks Runway Hold

According to airport sources, a shortage of ground handling staff in Manchester caused significant baggage delays, which in turn forced Dortmund’s aircraft to remain parked on the runway.

Players and staff were kept on board for more than two hours, unable to disembark or move. The delay added another layer of fatigue to what was already a demanding European trip.

Images captured on arrival showed visibly frustrated players, including Karim Adeyemi and Ramy Bensebaini, stepping off the aircraft after a journey that lasted far longer than planned.

Quick Turnaround Ahead of Hamburger SV Clash

There is little room for recovery. Dortmund travel again this weekend, facing Hamburger SV away on Saturday at 15:30 (CET) in the Bundesliga.

Due to the extended travel time and accumulated fatigue, head coach Niko Kovac cancelled Thursday afternoon’s training session, opting to allow the squad additional rest instead.

A Difficult Week for Dortmund

The defeat to Manchester City was Dortmund’s first loss of their Champions League campaign, raising questions about the team’s current form and squad balance.

With important fixtures ahead, the club will aim to restore momentum quickly — both physically and psychologically.