The clash between Borussia Dortmund and C.F. Monterrey during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 remains a defining moment in the modern era of international club football. Played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, this encounter pitted European tactical discipline against the flair and resilience of CONCACAF's most successful modern side. When looking back at the Borussia Dortmund vs C.F. Monterrey lineups, it becomes evident how the tactical blueprints laid out by Niko Kovač and Domènec Torrent dictated the flow of this intense 2-1 victory for the German side.

Understanding these lineups requires a deep dive into the specific roles assigned to each player and the formation shifts that occurred throughout the ninety minutes. The match was not just a test of individual skill but a strategic chess match where the selection of personnel directly influenced the high-pressing sequences and the counter-attacking threats that characterized the game.

The Borussia Dortmund Lineup: Niko Kovač’s Tactical Flexibility

For this Round of 16 showdown, Niko Kovač opted for a formation that hovered between a 3-4-3 and a 3-5-2, designed to exploit the wide spaces in Atlanta while maintaining a solid central block. The starting XI reflected a blend of experienced Bundesliga stalwarts and emerging talents, emphasizing physical presence and verticality.

Defensive Structure and Goalkeeping

In goal, Gregor Kobel was the undisputed starter. His performance in this match was pivotal, as he faced seven shots on target and managed six crucial saves. The back three consisted of Ramy Bensebaini, Waldemar Anton, and Niklas Süle. This selection was specific to the threat posed by Monterrey’s mobile front three.

Niklas Süle, starting in a more central-right role instead of Julian Ryerson’s usual defensive slot, provided the necessary bulk to handle German Berterame’s physical runs. Waldemar Anton acted as the primary ball-playing center-back, initiating transitions from deep, while Bensebaini offered left-sided balance, often stepping forward to assist the midfield during sustained possession.

The Midfield Engine Room

The midfield quartet was the most complex part of the Dortmund lineup. Daniel Svensson and Julian Ryerson operated as wing-backs with very different instructions. Ryerson, moving up to the right midfield position from his traditional defensive role, was tasked with neutralizing the overlap from Monterrey’s Gerardo Arteaga.

Centrally, Pascal Groß and Felix Nmecha formed the double pivot. Groß acted as the "metronome," completing a high percentage of his 428 total team passes, while Nmecha was given the license to drive forward. This setup allowed Dortmund to withstand Monterrey's 58% possession by remaining compact and waiting for the right moment to trigger a vertical pass.

The Forward Line: Guirassy’s Dominance

The attacking trio consisted of Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy, and Jobe Bellingham. Adeyemi’s role was purely based on pace, stretching the Monterrey defense to create pockets of space for Guirassy. Jobe Bellingham, moving from a central attacking midfield role to a right-wing/inside-forward hybrid, provided late runs into the box.

Serhou Guirassy was the standout performer, justifying his selection over other attacking options like Maximilian Beier. His two goals in the 14th and 24th minutes—both assisted by Adeyemi—were direct products of the 3-4-3 system’s ability to catch Monterrey in transition before their defense could reorganize.

The C.F. Monterrey Lineup: Domènec Torrent’s Possession-Heavy Strategy

Domènec Torrent’s approach for C.F. Monterrey was built around control and territorial dominance. The Rayados lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, which often looked like a 3-4-1-2 in possession when Jorge Rodríguez dropped between the center-backs.

The Defensive Guard led by Sergio Ramos

The inclusion of Sergio Ramos was the headline of the Monterrey lineup. Bringing unparalleled experience to the backline, Ramos was tasked with organizing the defense and dealing with Guirassy’s aerial threat. Alongside him was Stefan Medina, who provided the recovery speed that Ramos lacked at this stage of his career.

On the flanks, Gerardo Arteaga and Érick Aguirre were instructed to play high and wide. This aggressive positioning was a double-edged sword; while it contributed to Monterrey’s 14 total shots, it also left the backline vulnerable to the pace of Adeyemi, as seen in the build-up to Dortmund’s opening goal.

Midfield Artistry: Canales and Torres

The midfield was anchored by Jorge Rodríguez, who played as the dedicated number six. Ahead of him were Sergio Canales and Nelson Deossa. Canales was the creative heart of the Monterrey side, operating as a free-roaming playmaker. His ability to find Oliver Torres on the left and Jesus Corona on the right allowed Monterrey to sustain pressure in the final third.

Nelson Deossa provided the box-to-box energy, often becoming the third man in attacking sequences. This midfield trio succeeded in controlling the tempo for large portions of the match, finishing with an 89% pass accuracy compared to Dortmund’s 85%.

The Attacking Unit

Up front, Germán Berterame led the line, supported by Jesús "Tecatito" Corona and Óliver Torres. This was a fluid front three designed to pull Dortmund’s three-man defense out of position. Berterame’s goal in the 48th minute, assisted by Érick Aguirre, showcased the effectiveness of Monterrey’s wing-back involvement. By overloading the wide areas, Monterrey finally breached the Dortmund block shortly after the halftime break.

Tactical Matchup: The Battle of Systems

The contrast between the two lineups created several key tactical battles that decided the outcome in Atlanta.

High Press vs. Tactical Withdrawal

Dortmund’s lineup was designed for a medium block. Instead of chasing the ball and exhausting themselves in the Atlanta humidity, Kovač’s men allowed Monterrey to have the ball in non-threatening areas. This is reflected in the statistics: Monterrey had 602 passes to Dortmund’s 428, yet Dortmund led 2-0 early on. The efficiency of the Dortmund lineup in transition was the deciding factor.

The Space Behind the Wing-backs

Monterrey’s choice to use Arteaga and Aguirre as offensive outlets was their primary source of chance creation but also their greatest weakness. Adeyemi’s pace was specifically deployed to exploit the space left behind by Aguirre. Both of Dortmund's goals originated from quick breaks into these vacated wide channels.

Central Density

The physical battle between Felix Nmecha and Jorge Rodríguez was intense. Nmecha’s height and power allowed Dortmund to win second balls, which was crucial given that they were often defending deep. Monterrey struggled to play through the center, forced instead to circulate the ball to the wings and cross into a box where Süle and Anton were dominant.

The Impact of Substitutions on Lineup Dynamics

As the match progressed, both managers utilized their benches to alter the tactical shape. These changes were essential in maintaining the intensity of the Round of 16 clash.

Dortmund’s Defensive Reinforcements

In the 55th minute, Jobe Bellingham was replaced by Marcel Sabitzer. This was a clear tactical shift by Kovač to move from a 3-4-3 to a more stable 3-5-2, adding an extra body to the midfield to combat the growing influence of Sergio Canales. Later, in the 71st minute, Julian Brandt and Yan Couto were introduced for Nmecha and Adeyemi. Brandt provided the technical security needed to keep the ball and kill time, while Yan Couto offered fresh legs on the right flank to counter Monterrey’s late-game surges.

Monterrey’s Search for an Equalizer

Domènec Torrent responded in the 84th minute with a triple substitution, bringing on Lucas Ocampos, Roberto de la Rosa, and Fidel Ambríz. Ocampos replaced the tiring Berterame, providing a different profile of attacker—more prone to drifting wide and cutting in. Despite the injection of fresh talent and moving to an almost total-attack 4-2-4 formation in the final minutes, Monterrey could not find the second goal against a well-drilled Dortmund defense.

Statistical Overview of Personnel Performance

Analyzing the effectiveness of the lineups through the lens of match statistics reveals why the result favored the German side despite the Mexican side's dominance in possession metrics.

  • Efficiency in the Box: Dortmund had 6 shots inside the box and scored twice. Monterrey had 7 shots inside the box but only converted once. This suggests that the Dortmund defensive lineup (Süle, Anton, Bensebaini) forced Monterrey into lower-quality shooting positions or contested headers.
  • Goalkeeping Impact: Esteban Andrada for Monterrey had a relatively quiet game with only one save, as Dortmund were clinical with their few chances. Conversely, Gregor Kobel was forced into six saves, highlighting the pressure the Monterrey lineup was able to exert.
  • Discipline: The yellow cards for Jobe Bellingham and Serhou Guirassy indicated the aggressive, foul-prone nature of Dortmund’s defensive strategy to disrupt Monterrey’s rhythm. Dortmund committed 13 fouls compared to Monterrey’s 9, a tactical choice to stop Canales and Corona from building momentum.

Final Tactical Reflections

The Borussia Dortmund vs C.F. Monterrey lineups in this 2025 encounter serve as a textbook example of "Efficiency vs. Possession." Niko Kovač’s decision to sacrifice the ball and trust in the defensive solidity of a three-man backline, paired with the clinical finishing of Serhou Guirassy, proved to be the correct formula.

For Monterrey, the lineup was arguably the most talented they had ever fielded in a Club World Cup, featuring a mix of La Liga veterans and Mexican internationals. However, the high-defensive line required by Torrent’s possession system was ultimately their undoing against a Dortmund side that was perfectly constructed to exploit vertical space.

Looking back from 2026, this match is remembered not just for the scoreline, but for how the tactical nuances of these specific starting elevens provided one of the most entertaining displays of football in the tournament's history. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium witnessed a battle where every player in the lineup had a distinct, pivotal role in a narrative of tactical discipline overcoming territorial dominance.

Match Summary Data

  • Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  • Final Score: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 C.F. Monterrey
  • Dortmund Goals: Serhou Guirassy (14', 24')
  • Monterrey Goals: Germán Berterame (48')
  • Referee: Facundo Tello

The legacy of these lineups continues to be analyzed by coaches and analysts as a masterclass in knockout football strategy, proving that in the modern game, how you use your personnel is often more important than how much of the ball you keep.