Dismal debut: Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense play out a scoreless draw
Revamped Recap: Borussia Dortmund Draws 0-0 with Fluminense Rio de Janeiro in Club World Cup Opener
Kicking off the Club World Cup, Borussia Dortmund played a nail-biter against Fluminense Rio de Janeiro, ending in a fortunate 0-0 draw. Despite the early absence of Jobe Bellingham, the Bundesliga outfit held their ground in a midday kick-off, a less familiar time for them. Fluminense, four-time Brazilian champions, dominated the game, being the livelier, stronger, and more aggressive team.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel admitted on DAZN that Dortmund's performance was subpar, stating, "It was improvable for us." However, he refused to use the unconventional kick-off time as an excuse. Defender Niklas Süle echoed Kobel's sentiments, expressing dissatisfaction with their ball control and combination play.
The vast MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, featured a crowd of 34,736 fans, a stark contrast from its capacity of 82,500. While BVB had a smaller fan presence compared to their home games, Fluminense fans gathered in force, creating a passionate atmosphere.
Fluminense showcased their prowess throughout the match, putting Dortmund under pressure from the opening whistle. With veteran defender Thiago Silva leading the line, the Brazilians displaying an impressive tactical approach and superior fitness levels. Despite their dominance, Gregor Kobel produced a stunning double save to keep the scores level, denying Everaldo and Nonato in the second half.
Coach Niko Kovac admitted that the team couldn't afford to settle for a draw, stating that they must take three points in their remaining fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns (June 19) and HD Ulsan (June 25) to progress to the knockout round. With a massive USD 1 billion purse up for grabs from FIFA, Dortmund has economic reasons to advance beyond the group stage.
The upcoming matches promise to be thrilling, as Dortmund will need to raise their game to challenge Fluminense and their fierce competition in the Group A showdown. Stay tuned for more thrills and spills in the FIFA Club World Cup! 👀🏆🌟️
In the upcoming Group A fixtures of the Club World Cup, Borussia Dortmund needs to improve their performance to claim victories against Mamelodi Sundowns and HD Ulsan, as they currently sit level with Fluminense. Despite dominating the Club World Cup opener, Dortmund's goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, expressed dissatisfaction with their performance and highlighted the importance of European leagues, such as the Champions League, to help them compete at this level.
