Sluggish commencement: Borussia Dortmund vs. Fluminense ends in a scoreless draw
Kickin' It Off: Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense Clash in Club World Cup Opener
East Rutherford (dpa) - A nail-biting 0-0 draw marked the beginning of Borussia Dortmund's Club World Cup campaign against Fluminense Rio de Janeiro. Despite the absence of Jobe Bellingham, the Bundesliga powerhouse held their ground against the Brazilian champions in an unconventional 12:00 PM kick-off.
The Brazilians displayed a notably aggressive and energetic performance, maintaining control and posing a major threat throughout. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel acknowledged the team's room for improvement, noting, "It was improvable for us," citing jetlag, the early start, and the need to settle in as possible factors. Nevertheless, he was quick to add, "We can live with the 0:0."
Defender Niklas Süle was less forgiving, criticizing Dortmund's showing: "We were very weak with the ball. We set ourselves much higher standards. That was far too little today, we have to admit that." Coach Niko Kovac shared similar sentiments, acknowledging, "It wasn't our best game, but it's okay for the first game."
The vast MetLife Stadium, home to NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets, seemed somewhat empty with a mere 34,736 spectators present. The stadium boasts a capacity of 82,500, in contrast to Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park. A smaller contingent of BVB fans joined the boisterous Brazilian crowd, backing Fluminense, the 2023 South American Copa Libertadores champions.
Fluminense's Dominance
As expected, Fluminense took control from the get-go, showing equal footing with the German powerhouse. Led by 40-year-old Thiago Silva, the experienced squad kept the pressure on Dortmund from the outset. Jhon Arias and Everaldo took aim at Kobel multiple times, with Kobel making impressive saves to preserve Dortmund's clean sheet.
In a tense moment, Kobel and Everaldo collided, resulting in some anxious moments. However, Kobel continued to keep Dortmund in the game, eventually preventing Nonato's goal in the 70th minute. As the game progressed, Kovac responded by making substitutions, injecting Fresh blood into the game and altering Dortmund's tactics.
The Road Ahead
With the draw, Dortmund faces Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa on Saturday and HD Ulsan from South Korea on June 25. Reaching the knockout rounds is essential for Dortmund, not only for the glory of the competition but also for the considerable prize money on offer. A total of one billion US dollars has been earmarked for the tournament's organizer by FIFA. Kobel stated, "Now the tournament is open, and we have to win the next two games."
Fluminense demonstrated a dominating performance, mirroring Dortmund's strength throughout the Club World Cup opener. Reminiscent of the Champions League and other European leagues, the Brazilians exhibited a keen sense of ownership, seeming determined to establish an advantage in the competition.
In the coming games against Mamelodi Sundowns and HD Ulsan, Dortmund must showcase improved play to secure their advancement to the knockout rounds. With the substantial prize money promised by FIFA for the tournament's organizer, Dortmund's performances will be a critical factor in their pursuit of not only glory but also financial success.
