Borussia Dortmund star Jobe Bellingham has offered an explanation for his team’s struggles with ball possession during their recent match against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Despite remarkably outplaying the Bundesliga giants in key areas, the Brazilians endured a 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their second 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group match.
Many had anticipated the Betway Premiership outfit would be overwhelmed by the European side due to perceived differences in “levels.” However, Masandawana defied these expectations, firmly dictating play and maintaining more ball possession than Niko Kovac’s troops throughout the match.
At the final whistle, Miguel Cardoso’s men boasted an impressive 59% possession compared to Dortmund’s 41%, completing 511 successful passes to BVB’s 315.
While Bellingham commended Sundowns’ game, he implied that the “extremely hot” midday weather conditions were a key factor in his team’s difficulty in maintaining ball possession.
BELLINGHAM SAYS WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR IN DORTMUND’S STRUGGLES
“The conditions made it so difficult, especially for us as a European team,” said Bellingham during the post-match press conference.
“They [Sundowns] played a fantastic game, and I’m sure they are used to that kind of weather. But it’s something we’re gonna have to adapt to as the tournament goes on. And these are just the demands of this competition. So, it was really difficult. In a game like that, you have to find solutions and try to play fast.
“I think eventually in the game, we did much better, and we can build on it.”
Having secured four points from their first two games, Dortmund has climbed to the top of the Group F table in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Their final group stage challenge will be a clash against Ulsan HD on Wednesday, June 25th, at 9:00 PM [SA time]. The tie will be held at the TQL Stadium.
Sundowns currently sit third in the group with three points after two matches. They face a crucial final group stage encounter against Fluminense on Wednesday, 25 June at 9 PM [SA time], at the Hard Rock Stadium, where they need nothing less than a win to secure a place in the next stage.
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