“Do it particularly difficult”
Kovač does not believe in European winners at Klub World Cup
21.06.2025 – 9:36 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The temperatures are high and the sun bangs and at times when not only BVB’s professionals are on the pitch. Niko Kovač therefore makes a forecast.
The conditions at the club World Cup in the USA are demanding everything to the teams-physically and tactically. For BVB coach Niko Kovač it is therefore clear: The tournament winner will not necessarily be the most playful team. And according to Kovač, the winner doesn’t come from Europe.
Before the second group game against Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa (Saturday, from 6 p.m. in the T-Online Live Tickier), Kovač spoke openly about the climatic challenges: “The clubs from the south have a great advantage because of the heat.” The duel in Cincinnati will kick off at 12 noon local time, with predicted 34 degrees Celsius.
“You can imagine what this means for the players when the lunch sun bang on it. In the kettle, there are another two or three degrees,” said Kovač. When choosing his starting eleven, he also pays attention to who can best get along with the temperatures.
After the 0: 0 at the start against Fluminense Rio de Janeiro, Dortmund is under pressure. “We need victory,” said the coach. The team is accommodated in the Hitzelstied Fort Lauderdale (Florida).
The current temperatures are troubled by many teams – especially those from Europe. Kovač said: “It hurts a lot to many teams. The Europeans are particularly difficult.” Most recently, Chelsea had lost to Flamengo (1: 3) and Paris Saint-Germain against Botafogo (0: 1).
According to Kovač, the game pace is also affected: “In general, the pace is not particularly high in the games either, because it doesn’t work at the temperatures.” For the audience, he therefore has a note: “One or the other should also consider this on the television when he is surprised why playing is slowly playing.”