In a hard-fought encounter at MetLife Stadium, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund played out the tournament’s first goalless draw, a result that saw Mamelodi Sundowns climb to the top of Group F.
While the match lacked goals, it offered valuable insights for the Brazilians ahead of their upcoming fixtures against the European giants, Borussia Dortmund.
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SBN highlights three crucial lessons Sundowns can glean from this tactical battle.
Dortmund’s Defensive Vulnerabilities Offer Encouragement
Borussia Dortmund’s defensive setup, featuring a back three of Ramy Bensebaini, Waldemar Anton, and Niklas Süle, appeared susceptible to pace and clever movement. Fluminense, particularly in the second half, found avenues to exploit the space behind the Dortmund backline. The German side’s defenders, perhaps lacking outright speed, were often bailed out by Fluminense’s poor finishing.
This presents a significant opportunity for Mamelodi Sundowns. With their array of quick attackers like Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners, complemented by the intelligent runs of Lucas Ribeiro, Sundowns are well-equipped to penetrate Dortmund’s defense.
The key for Sundowns will be to maintain composure and clinical finishing in front of goal when these chances arise, ensuring they capitalize where Fluminense faltered.
Fluminense’s Blueprint for Neutralizing Dortmund’s Attack
Fluminense provided a masterclass in stifling one of Europe’s most feared attacking trios: Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, and Serhou Guirassy. These Dortmund forwards were uncharacteristically quiet at MetLife Stadium, largely due to Fluminense’s effective strategy.
The Brazilian side successfully limited the influence of Dortmund’s wing-backs, Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson, preventing them from getting into dangerous attacking positions. Furthermore, they effectively isolated Dortmund’s midfielders, cutting off the supply lines to the front three.
Sundowns can directly adopt this defensive approach for their upcoming clash with the German powerhouse. By focusing on disrupting Dortmund’s wide play and pressuring their midfield, Sundowns can starve Adeyemi, Brandt, and Guirassy of service, significantly blunting their attacking threat.
Sustained Pressure Can Force Dortmund’s Hand
Fluminense’s aggressive approach throughout the match yielded 14 shots on goal, demonstrating that Borussia Dortmund is susceptible to sustained pressure.
The Brazilian side’s relentless harrying and proactive defending forced mistakes from the Bundesliga giants, highlighting a potential Achilles’ heel for Dortmund.
This lesson is particularly pertinent for Sundowns, who have historically struggled against highly aggressive teams, as evidenced by their performance in the CAF Champions League final against Pyramids.
To succeed against Dortmund, and indeed in their subsequent clash with Fluminense on June 21, Sundowns must improve their ability to withstand and respond to sustained aggression.
Moreover, they can learn from Fluminense’s example by applying their own relentless pressure to force errors from the German side. If Sundowns can match Fluminense’s intensity and aggression, they will significantly increase their chances of securing a positive result.