Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan Hyundai | Club World Cup | Group Stage - Matchday 3 of 3 | Pre Match
Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan Hyundai
As Borussia Dortmund prepare to face Ulsan Hyundai in their third and final group stage match of the FIFA Club World Cup at TQL Stadium on Wednesday, the German side find themselves on the cusp of securing a place in the round of 16, but with no room for complacency. Currently second in their group with four points, Dortmund’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on June 21 has positioned them favorably, occupying one of the two qualification spots. However, their place in the knockout rounds is far from guaranteed, as they sit just one point ahead of third-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who face group leaders Fluminense on the same day. Ulsan Hyundai, languishing at the bottom of the group with zero points after a 4-2 defeat to Fluminense, have already been eliminated, but their potential to cause an upset remains a concern for Dortmund’s manager, Niko Kovac. The Black and Yellow enter the match in scintillating form, having won seven of their last eight matches and remaining unbeaten in nine, with an attacking output that has seen them score an impressive 24 goals in those fixtures. Yet, defensive frailties and the absence of key players like Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck could pose challenges against a Ulsan side desperate to salvage pride despite their elimination. This matchup promises to be a test of Dortmund’s ability to balance their attacking prowess with the defensive discipline needed to avoid a shock result and secure their advancement.
Dortmund’s recent form has been nothing short of remarkable, particularly in attack, where they have showcased a lethal edge that has overwhelmed opponents. Their 4-3 win over Mamelodi Sundowns was a microcosm of their current campaign: a rollercoaster of attacking brilliance tempered by defensive vulnerabilities. Trailing 1-0 within 11 minutes against the South African champions, Dortmund roared back to take a 3-1 lead by halftime, demonstrating their ability to turn games around with rapid, incisive play. However, the second half raised concerns, as Mamelodi Sundowns peppered Dortmund’s goal with 10 shots while the Germans managed only three of their own. Kovac, while pleased with his team’s three clean sheets in their last five matches, will be acutely aware of the alarming statistic that Dortmund have conceded 16 goals in their last 10 outings. This defensive fragility could prove costly against Ulsan, who, despite their struggles, showed against Fluminense that they are capable of troubling even the most formidable sides. The South Korean team took a 2-1 lead into halftime against the Brazilian outfit, only to falter in the second half, failing to create a single big chance. For Dortmund, maintaining their attacking momentum while shoring up their backline will be critical, especially with injuries forcing Kovac to rely on a back three of Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton, and Ramy Bensebaini, players who will need to be at their sharpest to neutralize Ulsan’s attacking threats.
Ulsan Hyundai, under the guidance of head coach Pan-Gon Kim, arrive at TQL Stadium with little to play for beyond pride, but their recent performances suggest they are far from a pushover. Currently fifth in the K League 1 with 29 points from 19 games, Ulsan have struggled to replicate the form that saw them crowned defending champions, and their Club World Cup campaign has been a disappointment. Their 4-2 loss to Fluminense highlighted both their potential and their shortcomings: they showed flashes of quality in taking a lead into halftime, but their inability to sustain that momentum in the second half exposed their lack of cutting edge. Ulsan’s defensive record is equally concerning, having conceded 11 goals in their last five matches while scoring only seven. Kim will be keen to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat, but injuries, such as the one that forced Won-Sang Um’s substitution against Fluminense, may force changes to the lineup. Matias Lacava could be in line for a start in attack alongside Erick Farias, while a midfield trio of Seung-beom Ko, Darijan Bojanic, and Jin-hyun Lee is expected to provide the platform for Ulsan’s counter-attacking style. At the back, Milosz Trojak, Young-Gwon Kim, and Woo-Young Jung are likely to form the defensive line in front of goalkeeper Hyeon-woo Jo, tasked with containing Dortmund’s rampant attack. Ulsan’s participation in the 2020 Club World Cup, where they lost 3-1 to Al-Duhail in the fifth-placed playoff, serves as a reminder of their struggles on the global stage, but their capacity to challenge stronger teams cannot be underestimated.
For Dortmund, the absence of key players like Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck places additional pressure on the squad’s depth, but it also provides an opportunity for others to shine. The back three of Sule, Anton, and Bensebaini will need to be vigilant against Ulsan’s counter-attacks, while the midfield pairing of Pascal Gross and Felix Nmecha, who operated in deeper roles against Mamelodi Sundowns, will be crucial in dictating the tempo and providing defensive cover. Up top, new signing Jobe Bellingham is expected to play a pivotal role, likely deployed in a free-roaming attacking role behind striker Serhou Guirassy, whose goal-scoring instincts could prove decisive. Bellingham’s creativity and Guirassy’s finishing have been central to Dortmund’s recent goal-scoring spree, and their partnership will be key in breaking down Ulsan’s defensive structure. Kovac’s challenge will be to balance this attacking dynamism with the defensive solidity needed to avoid the kind of second-half onslaught they faced against Mamelodi Sundowns. The German side’s ability to score 24 goals in their last eight matches is a testament to their attacking potency, but Kovac will be wary of the fact that Ulsan, despite their elimination, have shown they can exploit defensive lapses, as evidenced by their performance against Fluminense.
The broader context of the group adds an extra layer of intrigue to this fixture. With Fluminense and Dortmund both on four points, and Mamelodi Sundowns just one point behind, the outcome of both Wednesday’s matches will determine the final group standings. A slip-up against Ulsan could prove catastrophic for Dortmund if Mamelodi Sundowns manage to upset Fluminense, a scenario that, while unlikely, is not beyond the realm of possibility given the South Africans’ attacking output against Dortmund. Kovac will be keen to avoid the complacency that could allow Ulsan to play the role of spoiler, especially given the South Korean side’s determination to end their campaign on a positive note. For Ulsan, the match represents a chance to restore some pride after a disappointing tournament, and Kim will likely urge his players to replicate the first-half intensity they showed against Fluminense. The Tigers’ defensive vulnerabilities, however, could be their undoing against a Dortmund side that has been clinical in front of goal. The matchup at TQL Stadium is a classic David-versus-Goliath encounter, with Dortmund’s attacking firepower and recent form making them clear favorites, but Ulsan’s resilience and desperation to avoid a fourth straight loss adding an element of unpredictability.
As Dortmund prepare to take the field, the stakes could not be higher. A victory would secure their place in the round of 16 and send a statement to their rivals that they are a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. For Kovac, the challenge is to harness his team’s attacking brilliance while addressing the defensive concerns that have plagued them in recent matches. Ulsan, meanwhile, face the daunting task of upsetting one of Europe’s most in-form sides, a feat that would require a near-flawless performance. The Black and Yellow’s recent record of seven wins in eight matches and an unbeaten run of nine speaks to their confidence and momentum, but the Club World Cup is a stage where surprises are not uncommon. With the round of 16 beckoning, Dortmund will look to Jobe Bellingham, Serhou Guirassy, and their supporting cast to deliver a performance that not only secures qualification but also sets the tone for the knockout stages. For Ulsan, the match is an opportunity to bow out with a performance that reflects their status as K League 1 champions, even if their tournament hopes have already been extinguished. At TQL Stadium, under the watchful eyes of a global audience, this clash promises to be a fascinating battle of contrasting styles and ambitions.
