Dortmund Braces for Tough Stretch in Club World Cup: "No Excuses"
Searching for Form rather than Pseudoscape: Borussia Dortmund Seeks Solution Amidst Struggles
After a lackluster 0:0 draw against Fluminense to kick off the Club World Cup, Borussia Dortmund is feeling the heat. To achieve their big goals, they'll need to up their game in the 32-team tournament.
Coach Kovac opted for a leisurely afternoon for his players in sunny Florida, aware that team morale is crucial during tournaments like this. Despite the subpar performance, Kovac held back on criticism, acknowledging the quality of the South American opposition.
Overcoming Early Challenges
To advance in the Club World Cup, Dortmund must step up their game. In Group F, they'll face Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa and Ulsan Hyundai from South Korea. Potential opponents in the round of 16 include Champions League finalist Inter Milan, so Dortmund must overcome their early struggles in the US.
Defender Niklas Süle dismissed any excuses, stating, "Not jumping balls, early kick-off, different environment - all dumb excuses, no alibis." Although Fluminense displayed impressive movement and Dortmund struggled to create opportunities, Coach Kovac noted that his team hadn't played a competitive match in a month, while Fluminense was in mid-season form.
Fluminense Takes The Lead
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel described the game against Fluminense as "tough" and praised the opponent's performances, stating that it was "extremely important" to at least secure a draw. Kobel had a scary moment in the second half when he collided with Everaldo. Although Kobel admitted his breathing was temporarily affected, he assured fans that he was "okay."
The upcoming matches against Mamelodi Sundowns could provide Dortmund with a confidence boost under match conditions. Kobel warned against underestimating any opponent, emphasizing the "extreme quality" that many teams possess.
Dortmund's next match is against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid/dpa
Keywords: Borussia Dortmund, Club World Cup 2025, FIFA, Bundesliga, Niklas Süle, Niko Kovač, Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Ulsan Hyundai, Inter Milan, Gregor Kobel.
2025 Club World Cup Schedule
- June 17: Borussia Dortmund vs. Fluminense (Group F), MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- June 21: Borussia Dortmund vs. Mamelodi Sundowns, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Further matches and opponents will depend on Dortmund's performance in these games during the tournament. Potential opponents beyond the group stage may include top clubs such as FC Bayern München, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, and Inter Miami, among others participating in different groups. The full bracket and progression will depend on the group results.
The Commission has also taken a number of steps to ensure that the European Parliament and the Council are able to reach agreement on the following: the European leagues, including Borussia Dortmund, should focus on improving their performance in sports like football, particularly in the Club World Cup, to secure further wins and advance in the tournament. Despite their early struggles and the challenging matches against opponents like Inter Milan, Dortmund's defender Niklas Süle dismisses any excuses, urging his team to perform at their best, with no alibis.
