Actual Madrid vs. Dortmund (Jul 5, 2025) Pregame

By Amy Tennery

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, July 4 (Reuters) – Borussia Dortmund are embracing the underdog position of their Membership World Cup quarter-final towards Actual Madrid, coach Niko Kovac mentioned on Friday, because the Bundesliga aspect intention to avenge their Champions League last defeat a yr in the past.

Dortmund are driving excessive on an 11-match unbeaten streak however face robust odds towards the LaLiga crew below scorching warmth in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday, the place Kovac expects a packed home with a troublesome crowd.

The gamers “know precisely what does it imply to play towards Actual Madrid tomorrow”, he advised reporters at MetLife Stadium.

“We’re anticipating loads of supporters, particularly for Actual Madrid. We’re right here as an underdog however we additionally need to present our greatest face and hopefully – that is what we’re believing – we are able to cross to the following spherical.”

Actual Madrid are unbeaten towards Dortmund of their final six conferences, having gained their final 4, together with their 2-0 win within the Champions League last final yr.

The German crew hope they will flip the percentages after coming into one thing of a revival since Kovac took the helm in February. The Croatian supervisor mentioned his crew are working on the “highest stage” of confidence towards Actual Madrid.

“We want excessive self-confidence once we face Actual Madrid,” he mentioned.

“We completed the season fourth (within the Bundesliga season), nevertheless it was a photograph end, and we had robust video games to play.

“We performed huge opponents, and the gamers, they confirmed they can compete with all of them. So I believe this can be a huge cause for me to imagine in my gamers – they know precisely what is important tomorrow to be on highest stage.” (Reporting by Amy Tennery in East Rutherford, New Jersey)