Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is preparing his team for a tough Club World Cup quarterfinal against Mexican side Monterrey on Tuesday.
Kovac highlighted the significant challenge posed by veteran defender Sergio Ramos and his winning mentality, along with Monterrey’s aggressive style of play.
Despite being 39, former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos remains a key figure for Monterrey. Kovac lauded Ramos’s unwavering will to win, stating, “He’s a superstar… They are winners, they want to win in every single training session, every single game.”
Dortmund’s prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, fresh off a 13-goal Champions League season, is looking forward to facing Ramos.
“I want to play against Sergio Ramos, he’s a great defender,” Guirassy said, emphasizing the need for Dortmund to “be strong.”
Kovac acknowledged Monterrey’s robust, physical style, describing it as “robust football, with strong physicality.” He urged his players to adapt to the contact and avoid provocation, trusting referees will be vigilant.
A welcome change for Dortmund is the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium, providing relief from the tournament’s intense heat.
“The conditions will be better. We don’t have to play in 45 degrees Celsius,” Kovac noted, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to perform at high intensity in the cooler environment.
