Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey meet in the U.S. to close out the round of 16 in the Club World Cup. On paper, the German side has the bigger names, the deeper bench and more experience. But once the game starts, none of that guarantees an easy ride.
Dortmund comes in undefeated, riding a three-game streak and backed by a defense that’s done its job. Still, they haven’t faced anyone as tactically sound as this Monterrey squad. The Mexican team didn’t just survive the group stage, they impressed. They took points off Inter Milan, held River Plate, and cruised past Urawa Reds with confidence.
This matchup can’t be judged by club logos alone. Sure, Dortmund has the edge in talent, but Monterrey knows how to compete and in a knockout tournament, that can make all the difference. Especially when the other team has no room for mistakes. Dortmund might be the favorite, but the game’s being played in the U.S., and that could shift the weight for anyone who lets their guard down.
Dortmund wants more but still hasn’t faced real heat
Under Niko Kovac, Dortmund had a solid but far from dominant group stage. They opened with a 0-0 draw against Fluminense, squeezed past Sundowns in a wild 4-3 match that was messier than expected, and wrapped up with a tight 1-0 win over Ulsan HD. The backline held steady, the offense showed up when needed, but there’s a lingering feeling that this team has another gear and now’s the time to find it.
Jobe Bellingham made an early impression with a goal and an assist and looks set to stay in the starting lineup. Brandt, Süle and Sabitzer should return after being rested. But there’s a catch, some key players are one yellow card away from suspension. Dortmund will have to block that out and focus on what matters. Worry too much about what comes next, and they could get caught off guard.
Monterrey respects the stage but won’t play small
The Mexican side knows exactly who they are. Against top-tier opposition, they stayed solid and stuck to their plan. Drawing with Inter and River wasn’t just survival, it was strategic. And then came the 4–0 statement win over Urawa Reds. Domènec Torrent built a team that plays smart, defends with purpose, and knows when to strike.
Sergio Ramos anchors the back and sets the tone with experience and grit. Torrent knows European soccer inside out and has a roster full of veterans who’ve been in pressure matches. Monterrey might not be the popular pick, but if they play with the same discipline and punch they’ve shown, they’ve got every reason to believe they can pull it off. In a one-game showdown, that belief can be dangerous.