DailySun
Niko Kovac, the head coach of Borussia Dortmund, has expressed his preference for which teams he believes will advance from Group F in the FIFA Club World Cup, naming his own team and Mamelodi Sundowns among them.
Accompanying them in the group are the acclaimed Brazilian club Fluminense and Ulsan HD from South Korea.
The Black and Yellow will commence their campaign against Fluminense, four-time champions of the Brazilian Serie A, at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 17.
Meanwhile, Masandawana will face off against Ulsan HD, champions of South Korea five times, the following day.
As his team competes in the prestigious UEFA Champions League, the Croatian coach acknowledges the difficulties posed by their rivals, who are participating in the Copa Libertadores in South America, the CAF Champions League in Africa, and the AFC Champions League in Asia.
“We understand that the other three teams will not underestimate the competition; they aim to leave a mark. We must uphold professionalism and respect if we want to meet our goals,” cautioned the former Bayern Munich coach.
As the newly restructured 32-team global tournament features matches between clubs from different continents, many for the first time, Kovac is mindful of the challenges in preparing for unfamiliar opponents with limited time before their first match.
“It will be a challenge for us, but we believe in our abilities. We rarely face South American or Asian teams; our contests usually happen in Europe during the Champions League or with national teams,” he remarked.
“Thus, encountering these teams is entirely novel. We are uncertain of what to expect, which heightens the excitement. We will gather intelligence, analyze statistics, and review game footage.
“We are unfamiliar with most of these players, their playing styles, or the intensity of their leagues. The club’s analysis team is diligently compiling data and dissecting tactical systems to identify which teams apply high pressure, their defensive setups, and the players who pose the most threats. This necessitates time, which is in short supply.”
Regarding their prospects of advancing to the knockout stages, the 53-year-old coach anticipates that the 2023 South American champions will also progress alongside Dortmund from the group. He underscores the importance of their opening match.
“Brazilian clubs consistently excel, and Fluminense has achieved notable success, making them favorites to advance with us,” continued the former Croatian national team manager.
“The initial match is crucial as its outcome can either place us under pressure in subsequent games or allow us to approach them with more ease.”
