Between Dominance and Transitions: Real Madrid vs. Dortmund in the Club World Cup
A clash that reignites the sparks of the Champions League final, but with an entirely different character. On the grounds of New Jersey, USA, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will meet in the Club Wo
A clash that reignites the sparks of the Champions League final, but with an entirely different character. On the grounds of New Jersey, USA, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will meet in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. This encounter transcends a mere replay of last May's match, becoming a test of each team's identity amidst dramatic tactical shifts witnessed in both camps.
Real Madrid: The Authority of Titles and the Nuances of Detail
Real Madrid entered the tournament with the weight of history, but the start wasn't easy. A surprising draw against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal was followed by victories over Pachuca and Salzburg, then a tough win against Juventus in the Round of 16, thanks to a decisive goal from young Gonzalo Garcia, who has emerged as the tournament's revelation.
Xabi Alonso, who took over as head coach this summer, quickly imprinted his style on the team: high press, midfield dominance, and clear attacking cohesion. The last match saw 11 shots on target, a testament to this change.
Real Madrid boasts an astonishing record in the Club World Cup:
✅ 16 wins without a loss
🏆 5 titles
💥 The only team to break their winning streak was Al-Hilal in 2025.
Mentally, they hold an advantage over Dortmund, having won their last four encounters, most notably the 5-2 victory in October and the 2024 Champions League final.
The New Dortmund: A Face Unlike Yesterday's
But this Dortmund is not the one we knew. Since Nico Kovac arrived, everything has changed. From 11th place in the Bundesliga to the top four, from a disappointing season to the Champions League, and from a shaky team to a disciplined and motivated unit.
According to writer and sports analyst Elian: "You can't look at this team with the old lens. Since March, Dortmund has developed an identity that confuses opponents: rapid transitions, solid defense, and clear fighting spirit."
In the tournament, they topped their group after a draw with Fluminense and wins over Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan. In the Round of 16, they overcame Monterrey with a clean 2-0 victory led by Guirassy and the skills of Karim Adeyemi.
The team is now at peak readiness:
✅ 9 wins in their last 10 matches
🔄 A prominent tactical shift to a three-center-back system
🛡️ One of the teams with the fewest shots conceded since March
Even when they played against Barcelona, they temporarily changed their tactics, but they have returned to their preferred system, which has become their primary weapon.
Battle of Identities: Between Control... and the Counter-Ambush
The match will be a tactical battle par excellence:
Real Madrid will play with their established style of build-up and control.
Dortmund will counter with swift transitions and organized defense.
Elian warns of a critical point: "The three-at-the-back system might force Alonso to deploy Vinicius Jr. on the wing again, as he did against Juventus to break down the five-man defense. But that comes at a hefty price:
🔴 Losing Vinicius in the center, where he's become more effective.
🔴 Reliance again on individual decisions, weakening team play."
He adds in a post on his X account: "Dortmund is capable of exploiting the slowness of Rüdiger and Tchouaméni when they push forward, through deadly counter-attacks led by Adeyemi and finished mercilessly by Guirassy. Also, the spacing between Real's lines provides opponents with space, as Kenan Yildiz demonstrated previously."
On Paper... and Beyond
Real Madrid: Terrifying historical record, attacking depth, psychological advantage, but defensive vulnerabilities appear under counter-pressing.
Dortmund: A transformed, tactical team that waits patiently then strikes. They know how to disrupt big teams with transitions and organization.
History? Favors Real Madrid.
Current identity? Suggests Dortmund is not the same opponent.
Prediction and Final Analysis
On paper, Real Madrid seems the favorite: experience, stars, and titles.
But on the pitch, things are more complex:
Can Real Madrid neutralize the transitions?
Can Kovac effectively seize opportunities?
If Alonso reads the game early, Real's pragmatism might decide the match. However, if he's slow to deal with Dortmund's ambushes, we might witness one of the tournament's biggest upsets.
Prediction: A difficult win for Real Madrid... unless Kovac reads the pitch faster.