Sundowns’ CWC Opposition Coach Picks Favorites To Progress To KO Stages
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has picked his favorites to progress from Group F of the FIFA Club World Cup alongside his team and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Other teams pitted in the group are Brazilian giants Fluminense and Ulsan HD of Korea.
The Black and Yellow will commence their campaign against four-time Brasileiro Serie A winners Fluminense at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, 17 June.
Meanwhile, Masandawana will tackle five-time South Korean champions Ulsan HD the following day.
While his team competes in the coveted UEFA Champions League, the Croatian mentor is aware of the threat posed by their opponents, who play continental football in the Copa Libertadores in South America, the CAF Champions League in Africa, and the AFC Champions League in Asia.
“We know that the other three teams won’t be treating it like a holiday. They will want to make their mark. We will have to be professional and respectful to achieve our targets,” cautioned the former Bayern Munich boss.
With the revamped 32-team global tournament set to see teams from different continents square off, some for the first time, Kovac acknowledges the challenges of preparing for unfamiliar opponents, with limited time before their curtain-raiser.
“It will be a challenge for us, but we are convinced that we have what it takes. We don’t come up against South American or Asian clubs. You compete in Europe in the Champions League or with your national team,” he added.
“So, facing these teams is a completely new territory for us. We don’t quite know what to expect. That only adds to the anticipation. We have to collect information, sift through material, and analyze footage.
“We’re not familiar with the vast majority of the players in question, the teams’ style of play, or the intensity of their leagues. The club’s analysis department is hard at work crunching numbers and attempting to unpack tactical systems to find out which teams press high, what type of defensive shape they use, and which individual players carry the greatest threat. That takes time, which is now in short supply.”
On progression to the knockout stages, the 53-year-old tactician tips the 2023 South American champions to survive the axe in the group stages alongside Dortmund. Moreover, the 2018/19 Bundesliga winner says the first game will be pivotal to their campaign.
“Brazilian teams are always top-class, and Fluminense have been very successful, so they should be considered favorites to progress from the group alongside us,” continued the ex-Croatia national team coach.
“The first game is always important because, depending on the result, you’re either under pressure in the second and third matches or you can take a more relaxed approach.”
