Get the full preview of Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup – including recent form, team details, predicted lineups, key players, and match importance.
Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund are set to clash in their opening Group F match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States. The game takes place on June 17, 2025, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 PM local time (16:00 UTC).
This match features South American champions Fluminense, led by the veteran goalkeeper Fábio, against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, who arrive with stars like Serhou Guirassy, Julian Brandt, and Karim Adeyemi. Both teams are aiming to kick off their tournament strongly in a competitive group that also includes Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Recent Team Form
Here’s an updated look at the recent form of both teams ahead of the big showdown:
Fluminense
Campeonato Carioca (State Championship):
In February and early March, Fluminense played 11 matches (6 home, 5 away), with a record of 6 W–3 D–2 L, earning approximately 1.91 points per game .
Recent results include a 2–4 loss to Botafogo (Mar 3), a goalless draw vs. Vasco (Feb 15), and a narrow 0–1 win at Madureira (Feb 17) .
2025 Série A (Brazilian League):
They’ve played only one match so far, which resulted in a 0–2 away loss .
Overview:
Fluminense’s form has been mixed recently: solid in the Carioca Cup but just starting poorly in the national league campaign.
Borussia Dortmund
Last 10 Competitive Matches (all competitions):
Dortmund posted a record of 5 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. They scored 20 goals and conceded 10 (average 2 goals scored per game) .
Bundesliga & Champions League Highlights:
Impressive 6–0 thrashing of Union Berlin (Feb 22) .
Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon (3–0 on Feb 11), followed by a comeback vs. Lille, won 2–1 on aggregate.
Poor Bundesliga run: losses to Augsburg (0–1 on Mar 8) and at home vs. RB Leipzig (0–2 on Mar 15) .
Season Trends:
After a mid-season dip, new coach Niko Kovač steadied the ship, guiding Dortmund to top‑4 Bundesliga finish and Champions League qualification .
Player Impact:
Serhou Guirassy has been electric, netting 13 Champions League goals (including a hat-trick vs. Barcelona), while midfield orchestrator Pascal Groß has contributed heavily in key games .
Team Details
Here are detailed squad insights for the upcoming Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund clash:
Fluminense
Goalkeepers
Fábio, the legendary 44-year-old captain, brings experience and leadership.
Backup options include Marcelo Pitaluga, Pedro Rangel, Kevyn, and Felipe Alves.
Defenders
Senior heads like Samuel Xavier (right-back, 34) provide stability.
Young talents also offer squad depth, though key centre-backs aren’t listed in top ESPN details.
Midfielders & Attackers
Kevin Serna, a new forward from Colombia (joined July 2024), has contributed 6 goals in 34 appearances.
Expect established names and exciting youngsters to round out their attacking unit. A full roster is available on ESPN roster listings.
Kit & Identity
Sporting the classic tricolour green-claret-white striped home kit by Umbro, featuring a special “From Laranjeiras to the world” label highlighting their Club World Cup journey.
Borussia Dortmund
Goalkeepers
Gregor Kobel, primary choice between the sticks.
Backup trio: Silas Ostrzinski (21), Alexander Meyer, Marcel Lotka.
Defenders
Nico Schlotterbeck anchors central defence.
Waldemar Anton (recent signing) brings solidity at centre-back.
Argentine wing-play from Yan Couto, capable at both full-back and wing roles.
Midfield & Attack
Star striker Serhou Guirassy, Champions League top‑scorer this season with 13 goals—including a treble vs. Barcelona and four-goal haul vs. Union Berlin.
Midfield fortified by Jobe Bellingham, newly-signed 19‑year‑old son of Jude, making his major tournament debut.
Coaching Update
Niko Kovač took charge in February, steering BVB from mid-table to a 4th-place Bundesliga finish and stabilizing their tactical setup.
Predicted Lineup
The predicted starting lineups for Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund ahead of their Group F clash:
Fluminense (4‑2‑3‑1)
Based on their semifinal and Copa Libertadores lineups :
Keeper: Fabio (captain, 44)
Defense: Samuel Xavier (RB), Nino & Felipe Melo (CBs), Marcelo (LB)
Midfield: André Trindade & Matheus Martinelli (holding roles); Ganso as #10
Wings: Jhon Arias (right) and Keno (left)
Striker: German Cano – outscored with 40 goals in 59 matches
Borussia Dortmund (likely 4‑2‑3‑1)
Based on recent squad news and lineup consistency :
Keeper: Gregor Kobel
Defense: Yan Couto (RB), Nico Schlotterbeck & Niklas Süle (CBs), Julian Ryerson (LB)
Midfield: Marcel Sabitzer & Pascal Groß (double pivot)
Attacking Midfield Trio: Julian Brandt, Gio Reyna (returning and likely involved), Karim Adeyemi
Striker: Serhou Guirassy – BVB’s Champions League top scorer
Importance of Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund
This match is crucial in the context of Group F at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and here’s why:
1. Opening Game – Sets the Tone for Group F
This is the first group-stage match for both teams in a competitive group that includes Ulsan HD (Asia) and Mamelodi Sundowns (Africa).
A win here provides momentum and a significant advantage in securing one of the top two spots to advance to the knockout rounds.
2. Continental Clash – South America vs Europe
A classic Club World Cup storyline: CONMEBOL (Fluminense) vs UEFA (Borussia Dortmund).
These matchups are rare outside international tournaments and offer a true test of styles—Brazilian flair vs German tactical efficiency.
3. Global Prestige and Legacy
For Fluminense, it’s a chance to assert their recent Copa Libertadores success on a world stage.
For Dortmund, it’s an opportunity to win their first major international title in over a decade and prove their place among Europe’s elite.
4. Pressure on Dortmund as Favorites
Dortmund enters as one of the stronger UEFA sides and is expected to progress, making this a must-win to avoid complications later.
Any slip could open the door for the underdogs and jeopardize their campaign early.
5. Format Implications
Only two teams advance from each group in this expanded 32-team tournament.
Dropped points here would increase pressure for the remaining two matches, especially against unpredictable sides like Ulsan HD or Mamelodi Sundowns.
Conclusion: Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund
The upcoming clash between Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is a high-stakes encounter that could shape the trajectory of Group F. It pits the tactical discipline and star power of Dortmund against the experienced, cohesive unit of Fluminense, led by veterans like Fábio and Marcelo.
With only two teams advancing from each group, a strong result here is essential. Dortmund, with a more settled squad and recent European success, enter as slight favorites, but Fluminense’s creativity and resilience, especially in knockout-style matches, make them a dangerous opponent.
The match is not just about points—it’s about asserting dominance, building early momentum, and making a statement on the global club stage. Expect intensity, strategy, and moments of brilliance in what promises to be one of the most compelling fixtures of the group stage.
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