Borussia Dortmund is set to face off against K League 1’s Ulsan in Cincinnati, with a critical match ahead. The stakes are high: a **draw** is all the Bundesliga club needs to secure their spot in the **Round of 16** of the prestigious Club World Cup.
Dortmund’s Current Standing
As it stands, Niko Kovac’s squad occupies the second position in Group F, tied on points with Fluminense, following a **dramatic** draw and win from their opening pair of matches. In their last outing, Dortmund triumphed over the **Mamelodi Sundowns** with a thrilling **4-3** victory. This match was anything but ordinary, as they initially fell behind but quickly surged to a **3-1 lead**, ultimately holding on to secure the three points.
Earlier, Dortmund battled to a goalless stalemate with Fluminense, which now sets the stage for this must-win clash against the already-eliminated Ulsan.
Financial Stakes for Dortmund
If Dortmund can advance to the knockout stages, they stand to gain at least **€40 million**, a financial boon that could significantly bolster their transfer budget for future acquisitions. The pressure is on, not only to progress in the tournament but also to enhance the club’s financial standing.
In a parallel match within the group, **Mamelodi Sundowns** will square off against Fluminense in Miami, with both sides vying for a coveted place in the next round.
Confirmed Line-Ups
Dortmund Team News
Featuring prominently, **Jobe Bellingham** makes his mark after scoring his first goal for the club against Mamelodi and earning the title of player of the match. He takes the **No. 10** role in Kovac’s formation.
Shifts on the roster see **Julian Brandt** and **Niklas Süle** benched, while **Karim Adeyemi** and **Julian Ryerson** step into the XI.
Starting XI: Kobel (c), Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini, Couto, Groß, Nmecha, Svensson, Bellingham, Adeyemi, Guirassy
Subs: Meyer, Ostrzinski, Süle, Coulibaly, Mané, Sabitzer, Brandt, Reyna, Chukwuemeka, Azhil, Beier, Duranville, Campbell, Inacio, Albert
Cincinnati is Black and Yellow. ⚫️🟡😮💨 pic.twitter.com/YxONScTUOG
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) June 25, 2025
Ulsan Team News
Meanwhile, Ulsan enters this match with nothing but **pride** to play for. The South Korean side is gearing up for a crucial **Korean FA Cup** quarter-final against Gwangju on July 2 and will look to put on a strong performance to gain momentum.
Expect a competitive spirit from **Matias Lacava** and **Erick Farias**, who will be leading Ulsan’s attack, aiming to spoil Dortmund’s aspirations.
Starting XI: Jo, Kang, Y.Kim (c), J.Lee, Trojak, Ludwigson, Bojanic, JH.Lee, M.Kim, Lacava, Farias
Subs: Moon, Ryu, Min-Seo Park, Min-woo Kang, Seok-Hyun Choi, Yoon, Seo, Chung-Yong Lee, Min-Woo Kim, Woo-Young Jung, Ko, Hee-Gyun Lee, Baek, Heo, Cariello
Final Thoughts
As **Borussia Dortmund** prepares to clash with Ulsan, all eyes will be on their mission to secure that all-important point. The thrill of this tournament adds an extra layer of excitement for fans, who will be eagerly anticipating every moment on the pitch. Will Dortmund rise to the occasion and step closer to their ultimate goal? Stay tuned to find out!
