The Turkish Airlines flight from Dortmund to Brussels took just 39 minutes. The walk from the gate to the baggage claim required about the same amount of time. And then there was also the bus drive into the city centre paralysed by traffic jams…

Their journey took longer than expected, but Borussia Dortmund’s team eventually arrived at their team hotel near Brussels’ shopping district. First stop was the hotel’s dining area where chef Oreste Leone, who’s been cooking for Borussia on away trips in Europe for many years, had set up a buffet, with the focus on carbohydrates to keep the players’ energy levels up. After all, Wednesday’s game will be the sixth in 18 days for BVB.

At 6.20 p.m., the team then headed off for their final training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League tie at RSC Anderlecht where Sebastian Kehl was set to face a fitness test on his groin and ankle he injured in the 2-0 win over Arsenal two weeks ago.

“I’ve been able to complete most of the training in the last two days. I feel a lot better, and that’s why I’m here,” said the Dortmund midfielder who had been in fine form before this injury. “We will know more after the final training session.”

Grosskreutz: “We have to play like we did against Arsenal!“

Speaking about Wednesday’s game, Kehl said that he expects “a strong Anderlecht side”, adding: “On the flight over I watched some video footage, and Anderlecht could have beaten Galatasaray. They wasted a great chance to make it 2-0 just before they conceded the 1-1 equaliser in the final minute, so it’s certainly going to be a tough game for us.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Kevin Grosskreutz, though the all-round player also wants the team to focus on their own strengths. Ahead of their second Group D game, he said, “We have to play like we did against Arsenal!“