Borussia Dortmund at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup are very different to the team that was crushed by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in October, having led by two goals.

With Vinicius Junior starting, Real Madrid scored 5 goals in a row. At that time, Dortmund was coached by Nuri Sahin - who had to say goodbye last January.

EFE - Vinicius Real Madrid Dortmund.jpg
Dortmund are very different from the last time they met. Photo: EFE

Mike Tullberg took over for a few days, before Niko Kovac came in and made his mark so far.

Thanks to the experience of a veteran coach who has led the Croatian national team and Bayern Munich, Kovac Dortmund helped take off.

Dortmund made their strongest comeback in more than a decade: taking 22 of the final 24 points and moving up to fourth place in the Bundesliga, with the reward of a Champions League spot next season.

Dortmund also stood out in the Champions League and made Barcelona tremble in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

At the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup , Dortmund are unbeaten with 3 wins and 1 draw – against Fluminense who have just qualified for the semi-finals against Chelsea.

Although most of the opponents in the US were not too strong, the mark that Kovac brought, both in tactics and fighting spirit, cannot be underestimated. Serhou Guirassy is also a threat to any defense.

Imago - Guirassy Dortmund.jpg
Guirassy is a big challenge for Real Madrid's defense. Photo: Imago

In the last 11 Bundesliga matches, Kovac helped Dortmund win 9 and draw 2. One impressive result was a 4-2 victory over Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen.

Now, the two meet again in a different scenario. Alonso is making his mark on the changes with Real Madrid , and is keen to win against Dortmund to confirm the quality of his work.

The stability in the three-man center-back system, with Tchouameni moving from midfield to defence, has improved in terms of flexibility – especially in the second half of the last-16 match against Juventus.

Alonso's new system has turned Federico Valverde into a free central midfielder, often entering the box to shoot. Arda Guler has also had plenty of space to express himself.

There is a problem that is giving Alonso a headache: using Kylian Mbappe as a starter, or continuing to trust in "lucky" Gonzalo Garcia - the author of 3 goals and 1 assist.

EFE - Gonzalo Garcia.jpg
Gonzalo's form gives Alonso a headache. Photo: EFE

Gonzalo is a typical “number 9”, not relying much of the ball but very effective. He also actively presses with high intensity.

A match worth looking forward to. However, many people are somewhat regretful for not witnessing the competition between the Bellingham brothers.

Jude is currently the leader of Real Madrid, while Jobe quickly shone with Dortmund but was suspended for the quarter-finals.

Force:

Real Madrid: Camavinga, Mendy, Alaba, Endrick injured.

Dortmund: Emre Can, Schlotterbeck injured; Jobe Bellingham suspended.

Expected lineup:

Real Madrid (3-5-2) : Courtois; R u diger, Tchouam e ni, Huijsen; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde , Arda G u ler, Bellingham, F ran Garc i a; G onzalo , Vin i cius .

Dortmund (3-5-2): Kobel; S u le, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson; Gro ss , Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Guirassy, ​​Adeyemi.

Match odds: Real Madrid handicap 1

Goal ratio: 3

Prediction: Real Madrid win 3-2 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-real-madrid-vs-dortmund-tu-ket-fifa-club-world-cup-2418489.html