Dortmund bracing themselves for physical Ramos and Monterrey
Borussia Dortmund's Waldemar Anton (C) tries a header on goal that goes just wide during the FIFA Club World Cup Group F soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan HD FC at TQL Stadium. Trent Patterson/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Borussia Dortmund have a lot of respect for their Club World Cup last 16 opponents Monterrey and their veteran leader Sergio Ramos but hope to prevail in what they expect to be a very physical affair on Tuesday night.
Spanish defender legend Ramos, 39, joined the Mexican club in February, and they conceded only one goal in the group stage, against Inter Milan.
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"They are a very, very good team. They define themselves through intensity, one-on-one situations and tackles," Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said.
Defender Waldemar Anton said that it will "get down to business in the tackles. It can sometimes hurt. I was also impressed by the fact that they sometimes chopped in from behind. I might have known that from my youth."
Looking at long-time Real Madrid captain Ramos, Kehl said: "You always want a player like that in the team because he epitomises a lot. Playing against him is sometimes unpleasant."
"We'll have to really stretch ourselves to get through to the next round. But of course I'm optimistic that we can progress to the next round."
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Dortmund will face a largely hostile crowd due to the large Mexican community in the United States. But midfielder Pascal Gross said he "would be happy if there is a World Cup feeling in the stadium" after Dortmund played their last game against Ulsan HD in front of just over 8,000 fans.
Gross said that playing in the Atlanta arena with its air condition and moveable roof can help then, after their play suffered from having to play previous games in intense heat.
"I think that will help us. I believe there will be a different intensity," Gross said.
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