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Fluminense vs Dortmund: Club World Cup Preview
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage continues on Tuesday as Borussia Dortmund make their tournament debut against Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While Dortmund enter the competition via UEFA’s four-year coefficient qualification, Fluminense return after finishing runners-up in the 2023 edition, where they fell to Manchester City in the final.The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage continues on Tuesday as Borussia Dortmund make their tournament debut against Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While Dortmund enter the competition via UEFA’s four-year coefficient qualification, Fluminense return after finishing runners-up in the 2023 edition, where they fell to Manchester City in the final.
by Berba
Fluminense arrive in strong domestic form, having climbed to sixth in the Brazilian Serie A following a 2-0 victory over Internacional earlier this month. Despite generating just 0.34 expected goals from open play in that match, they have become increasingly clinical, netting 10 goals in their last four matches—matching their total from the nine prior. Renato Gaucho’s side are currently on a six-game unbeaten run, with five wins in that stretch, and have scored multiple goals in six of their last seven. Defensively, they have tightened up, registering back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in over two months.
Dortmund, meanwhile, closed out their Bundesliga campaign in emphatic fashion. Under Niko Kovac, who took over mid-season, the German club surged into fourth place by winning their final six league matches. Over their last six games, Dortmund have found the net 20 times and have scored at least twice in 10 of their previous 12 fixtures. Their attacking form is undeniable, though they have shown some vulnerability at the back, conceding 13 goals across their last eight games.
This will be just the second meeting between Fluminense and a German opponent in this competition’s history, while Dortmund step into unfamiliar territory as Club World Cup debutants. The Brazilian side will likely rely on a compact setup, aiming to exploit counterattacks through winger Jhon Arias, their standout performer. Veteran centre-back Thiago Silva anchors the defence, while Everaldo could lead the line supported by Kevin Serna.
Dortmund, expected to dominate possession, may be without regular starters Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck due to injury. That opens the door for a likely back three of Niklas Süle, Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini. Midfield pairing Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha should control the centre, with Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi providing support to leading scorer Serhou Guirassy up front.
With both sides aiming for a top-two finish to advance from Group F, Tuesday's clash sets the tone for their respective campaigns. Fluminense may not carry the same squad depth as other Brazilian clubs in this tournament, but their recent form and experience in last year’s final make them a dangerous opponent for a Dortmund side entering unfamiliar waters on the Club World Cup stage.