Following Borussia Dortmund’s goalless draw with Fluminense in their opening match of the Club World Cup, head coach Niko Kovac admits his side were lucky to walk away with a draw.
Speaking to DAZN after the full-time whistle, the Dortmund boss praised their Brazilian opponents and acknowledged that there was a lot more to give from his side.
He said: “We saw it was a tough game as we expected. Fluminense is a top team, very ball-possession based.
“They played very good. We had some difficulties, especially in the first-half. In the second half I would say it was better but overall it was a lucky point for us.”
The Dortmund boss didn’t shy away from highlighting the tough conditions, pointing to both the playing surface and the climate as contributing factors.
“The pitch isn’t so easy for us. I think the humidity also wasn’t so easy for all the players, although the Brazilians are more used to it,” Kovac explained.
“It was hard for us, we were running a lot, but overall we can live with a point.”
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Kovac’s squad will now turn their attention to Saturday’s Group F clash with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns and will be looking for a better performance from his side.
