Ahead of their clash against Monterrey on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has acknowledged the threat posed by the Mexican side, insisting his players are well prepared.
Dortmund finished top of their group while Monterrey finished second, narrowly edging out River Plate, to set up the mouthwatering round of 16 clash at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the match, Kovac identified the physicality of their opponents although he stated his side are ready to do battle.
“The Latin American teams play robust football, with strong physicality – football is a contact sport, we can’t look it like basketball,” said Kovac.
“I see it in a positive way, it’s the way I like to play. We have to adapt.
One should not be provoked of course, but I told the players they have to defend themselves if they need to, I think the referees will have open eyes for that as well”, he continued.
The Black and Yellow boss also acknowledged the threat posed by former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who now plays for the Mexican side.
“He’s a superstar you know. All the players that are playing so long… it shows their mindset. They are winners, they want to win in every single training session, every single game, they want to be on the top level with every single pass in training”, the Croatian added.
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“He’s a leader, as a leader you want to be as long as possible on a high stage. It’s a little bit funny I’m now a coach and he’s still a player – but I think he will become a coach.”
The winner of Tuesday’s tie will go on to face either Real Madrid or Juventus in the quarterfinals of the competition on the 5th of July.
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