Cool Borussians in the sauna of Cincinnati | OneFootball

Two games, four points. On paper, the results speak for themselves. But in truth, BVB had a few lucky moments in their games against Fluminense (0-0) and Mamelodi Sundowns (4-3), not to mention an outstanding keeper in Gregor Kobel.  “I’m not happy, but I’m proud,” said coach of the South African team Jose Miguel Azevedo Cardoso after the game. The supposed outsiders played significantly better in the first half hour of the game. But then the same goes for the whole tournament, with a few exceptions. The favourites from Europe are struggling more than expected - which is understandable given the climate.

Well-meaning measures have also turned out to be counter-productive. When the pitch is wet, the ball rolls better and the pace of the game is faster. So the pitch in Cincinnati was watered before the game, during half-time, and during water breaks. “But of course it dries within five minutes, so it doesn’t achieve anything,” said Niko Kovac, adding, “What actually happens has the opposite effect, because the water evaporates and steam comes up from the ground like in a sauna. Then you have the short-term effect that the ball rolls well, but after five minutes you feel like you’re in a sauna.”

Kovac had already suggested that the substitutes spend the first half of the game in the air-conditioned changing rooms, so that they only had to sit in the blazing midday sun for 45 rather than 90 minutes. Maximilian Beier gratefully took up this suggestion: “If I sit out there for 45 minutes, I end up looking like a lobster...” The plan was also to “keep drinking lots and lots of water,” said Beier.

On Wednesday, BVB will be playing in Cincinnati again. This time, kick-off will be three hours later than the previous, unusual time of 12 midday, though this won’t make a difference to the conditions. In fact, it is likely to make them worse. The predicted temperature is 35 degrees Celsius. Down on the pitch, the thermometer will easily pass the 40 degree mark. The Black&Yellows will be playing a team who, despite having zero points, have shown that they can hold their own. Ulsan HD narrowly lost to Mamelodi 0-1, while in their game against Fluminense, the team from South Korea were only defeated late in the game after leading 2-1 at one point. The Brazilian team scored the goal that made it 3-2 in the 83rd minute (final score: 4-2).

And so it comes down to the showdown on Wednesday. Fluminense will be playing against Mamelodi, Borussia against Ulsan. In the end, the goal difference could be decisive. On Saturday, when they won 4-3 against the remarkable South African team, efficiency was undoubtedly the Black&Yellows’ trump card. Long may that continue...