Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan: Line-ups, stats and preview

Preview for Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan

Borussia Dortmund have the chance to build on their weekend win over the Mamelodi Sundowns when they face Ulsan with a place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup at stake.

The Bundesliga side edged out the Sundowns 4-3 in Cincinnati after a wild encounter which saw them fall behind early on, surge into a 3-1 lead and then cling on for the final few minutes.

The result left Niko Kovac’s men in second place in Group F on four points, trailing leaders Fluminense on goal difference.

Mamelodi are still very much in the mix, a point behind, meaning there is all to play for on matchday three.

On paper, Dortmund have the easiest task as they face the already eliminated South Korean side knowing they need just a point to advance.

Letztes Gruppenspiel am Mittwoch! #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/CajAfMKxjW

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 23, 2025

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl accepts, however, that the team needs to improve on their previous showings.

He said: “We have discussed this very thoroughly and also pointed out how we need to do things better.

“We are in a very good position with four points and have every opportunity to advance on Wednesday, and I am absolutely convinced of it.”

It’s not just prestige up for grabs in the United States this summer with enormous prize money on offer for teams that do well.

If Dortmund do get through to the knockout stages, they will be assured of at least €40 million to add to the coffers.

“We want to take three points. That gives a bit more confidence and a little more money,” added Kehl.

An intriguing subplot of this tournament has been the battle between Jobe and Jude Bellingham for sibling supremacy.

Jobe netted his first goal for Dortmund against Mamelodi and won the man of the match award while Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham also claimed the individual honour after netting in the 3-1 win over Pachuca.

The elder Bellingham admitted after the Pachuca game that he had something to prove after watching Jobe star 24 hours earlier.

Jude said: “Everyone was caning me yesterday saying he’s better than me so I had to do something today. We’re 1-1 now and we’ll see for the rest of the tournament.”

Ulsan have pride and prize money to play for having lost to Mamelodi and Fluminense and will be desperate to leave the States on a high.

Team News for Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan

Kovac is likely to field the same team that beat Mamelodi despite the sweltering conditions in Cincinnati that forced the Dortmund subs to watch the first half from the sanctuary of the dressing room.

Ulsan boss Kim Pan-gon has a doubt over Um Won-sang with Matias Lacava waiting in the wings.

Predicted lineups for Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Nmecha, Gross, Svensson; Bellingham, Brandt; Guirassy

Ulsan: Jo; Trojak, Kim, Jung; Kang, Ko, Bojanic, Lee, Ludwigson; Lacava, Farias

Stats for Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan

• Dortmund have scored four goals at the Club World Cup from an xG of just 1.9
• Ulsan are fifth in the K-League 1 with 29 points from 19 games

Prediction for Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan

Dortmund have yet to hit top gear, although their performance against Mamelodi can be attributed to the heat in Ohio over the weekend.

But with a weather warning still in place, and temperatures of 33C expected, it could be more of the same.

Expect it to be tight but for Dortmund to get the point they need to go through.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Ulsan