Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac on Club World Cup tie against Real Madrid: “We know we’re underdogs. But this game still needs to be played,”

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·2. Juli 2025

Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac on Club World Cup tie against Real Madrid: “We know we’re underdogs. But this game still needs to be played,”

Artikelbild:Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac on Club World Cup tie against Real Madrid: “We know we’re underdogs. But this game still needs to be played,”

Speaking to the media following Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win against Monterrey in the Club World Cup, head coach Niko Kovac addressed the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

Dortmund booked their ticket in the Club World Cup quarter-finals after beating Mexican side Monterrey. In the first half, the Bundesliga side stormed to a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Serhou Guirassy, but just after half-time, Monterrey would cut the deficit in half and set up a nervy end to the game.

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die Schwargelben will now face Madrid in the quarters after they beat Juventus 1-0 earlier on Tuesday.

On the game against Madrid, Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac said (via kicker):

“We know we’re underdogs. But this game still needs to be played,”

While sporting director Sebastian Kehl said:

“The team has more than earned this. We are now among the eight best teams in the world, and exciting games are coming up. And we know from the Champions League: anything can happen from now on.”

The last time Dortmund played Madrid was earlier this season, where they took a 2-0 lead into half-time at the Bernabeu in the Champions League, before capitulating in the second half to lose 5-2.

The quarter-final would have also set up a reunion between brother Jobe and Jude Bellingham, but the former will be suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Monterrey.

GGFN | Jack Meenan