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**Dortmund Coach Kovac Confident Ahead of Club World Cup Clash Against Real Madrid**
**DOHA, QATAR –** Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac expressed optimism and confidence during a pre-match press conference ahead of their Club World Cup quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. Speaking to reporters, Kovac addressed team selection, his assessment of Real Madrid under their new manager, and Dortmund’s chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
Kovac confirmed that the squad is fully fit, with the exception of the suspended Jude Bellingham. He acknowledged the quality of Real Madrid, highlighting the influence of their new coach (Xabi Alonso) and his implementation of a similar high-intensity pressing system reminiscent of his time at Leverkusen. “We all know that world-class players will be on the pitch tomorrow,” Kovac stated. “Xabi is clearly using the same system he used in Leverkusen…We see a similar intensity in pressing, both when losing the ball and when in possession. The same patterns that existed in Leverkusen are recognizable.”
While acknowledging Real Madrid’s quality, Kovac emphasized Dortmund’s readiness to challenge. He stated, “We have many young players. They are here to experience what it’s like to participate in a big tournament. Our experienced players are used to big games; they played in the Champions League final two years ago. They know what playing against Real Madrid means. We go into this game as the underdog, but we want to show our best performance and believe we can advance to the next round.”
Addressing the relatively short time Real Madrid’s new coach has had with the team, Kovac noted, “He has only been coaching the team for three weeks, so it is natural that everything is not yet perfect. But you can see that the players believe in his style, and the quality of the team is fantastic.” He also drew a line between this game and a previous 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage, emphasizing the tactical differences under the new coaching setups and the neutral venue for this encounter.
Kovac stressed the importance of ball possession and maintaining control amidst the expected pressure from Real Madrid. He pointed to Dortmund’s recent form, with 10 wins and 2 draws in their last 12 games, as a source of confidence. “We have a lot of confidence, and we need it when playing against a team like Real Madrid,” he said. “We have finished the season, played tough games, faced big opponents, and I am sure that we can compete with any team. This is a good reason to believe in my players. They know exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level, and we have a real chance to win this game.”
The match is set to be a compelling contest between two of Europe’s elite teams, with Dortmund looking to upset the odds and secure a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals.
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