Kobel on Fluminense stalemate: “We have to play better”

Die Schwarzgelben’s goalkeeper put in an inspiring performance between the posts today.

After a tense and somewhat flat start to FIFA Club World Cup for Borussia Dortmund, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel reacted to his side’s 0-0 draw with Fluminense. 

The Swiss international expressed his feelings on their performance in the scoreless stalemate in an interview with DAZN after the game:

“We definitely have things to improve on and things to do better in the next two games. I think it [our play] was a little bit too slow.

“Fluminense… they were aggressive, fast and tried to press us. I think we needed more runs to open up, get the ball and play our game.

“Maybe the early kick-off and a bit of jet lag [affected us], but I don’t want to make too many excuses. We just have to play better.

“We didn’t have our A-game today, but it’s still open and if we do our job in the next few games I think we will be looking good,” he added.

Interestingly, the interviewer asked Kobel what team he would love to knock out of the competition. However, the 27-year-old remained tight-lipped on the matter:

“There are so many great clubs in this tournament, I think we can just be happy whoever is in front of us and take what comes,” he concluded.

Niko Kovač’s side will regroup and look to sharpen their game ahead of their second Group F fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns next Saturday.