Borussia Dortmund’s final game at the Club World Cup sees them take on Ulsan HD at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Dortmund's job is clear: a win will secure their place in the knockout rounds, while Ulsan, already eliminated, are playing for little more than pride.
Dortmund come into this match after an enjoyable 4-3 win over Mamelodi Sundowns. Despite falling behind early, Dortmund rallied with goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, and new signing Jobe Bellingham, as well as benefiting from an own goal. The result leaves them level on four points with Fluminense at the top of the group, but with work still to do to guarantee progression.
Manager Niko Kovac has named a strong XI in both of the team's first two games, and Jobe Bellingham, after marking his first start with a goal, will hope to keep his place in the lineup and further stake his claim as an starter in the team. Dortmund are, however, without captain Emre Can, Salih Ozcan and Nico Schlotterbeck due to injury, which has forced adjustments (particularly in defence). The squad remains strong, however, with the prolific Serhou Guirassy leading the line.
Dortmund’s approach has been adventurous, looking to control possession and press high, but defensive lapses have been a worry, as seen in their narrow victory over Sundowns. Kovac is likely to want greater focus and discipline from his players, especially with qualification on the line.
Ulsan HD’s Club World Cup journey comes to a close with this fixture, after back-to-back defeats to Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense ended their hopes of progression. Their most recent match, a 4-2 loss to Fluminense, saw them take a 2-1 lead into half-time thanks to goals from Lee Jinhyun and Um Wonsang, only to be overrun after the break.
Despite their early exit, Ulsan have shown moments of quality. Coach Kim Pan-gon has emphasised the importance of finishing strongly for their supporters, and the squad, which blends experienced players like Jung Woo-young and Darijan Bojanić with attacking threats such as Erick Farias and Gustav Ludwigson, will be motivated to leave on a positive note.
Ulsan’s tactical setup has typically been a 4-1-4-1, focusing on compactness and quick transitions. While their defensive record has been a concern, conceding six goals in two matches, they retain a potent threat on the break, and they'll likely look to lean into that here.
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Ulsan HD
