Club World Cup 2025: Mamelodi Sundowns-Borussia Dortmund, likely lineups

Reduced from a 0-0 draw against Fluminense on its debut in the 2025 Club World Cup, Borussia Dortmund will play most of its chances of qualification in Saturday’s match against Mamelodi Sundowns, a South African club leading Group F with 3 points thanks to a 1-0 success over Ulsan HD’Ulsan. It is being played at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 6 p.m. Italian time.

The ‘Brazilians’ as the dominators of South African soccer are nicknamed (no less than eight consecutive titles between 2018 and 2025), aim to ride the wave of enthusiasm generated by the success against the Koreans to try to snatch a positive result against the much better-ranked BVB. On the field, great attention will have to be paid to Iqraam Rayners, match-winner against Ulsan and also the author of two goals cancelled.

On the other hand, Borussia seemed, in the first match, rather tired after a season in which they were forced into a mighty comeback in the last weeks to close in on the Champions League zone. Coach Niko Kovac’s hope is to rediscover Adeyemi’s flashes, while still relying on Guirassy as the main offensive point of reference.

Probable lineups

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (4-2-3-1): Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa, Lunga; Allende Bravo, Mokoena; Ribeiro, Adams, Matthews; Rayners. All. Cardoso.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Süle, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Gross, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy. All. Kovac.