Matt Oldfield
What: 2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final
Who: Barcelona vs Santos
When: Sunday, 18th December, 2011, at 10:30 UK Time
Where: Yokohama International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
A Season Firmly Back on Track
Josep Guardiola’s Barcelona side arrived in Japan brimming with confidence after last weekend’s crucial 3-1 win at La Liga rivals Real Madrid. Having gone a goal behind inside 23 seconds, the Catalan giants fought back with strikes from Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas to move level on points with Los Blancos at the top of the table. The November stutter, it would seem, is firmly behind Lionel Messi and co.
Barcelona eased through their Club World Cup semi-final with a 4-0 win over Qatari side Al Sadd. Fielding a weakened team, former Sevilla star Adriano helped himself to a brace, while Seydou Keita and Maxwell also got on the scoresheet. Guardiola’s side have now scored 20 goals in their last five matches. Fans will be hoping for a more competitive match and a more senior team selection in the final against Santos.
Thursday’s match was marred by a horror injury to Barcelona striker David Villa however. The Spanish international will now be sidelined for up to six months after breaking his leg minutes before half-time. Villa’s team-mate Pedro believes the heartbreaking injury could inspire Barcelona in the final and, indeed, for the rest of the season: “Villa is looking forward to being in the Champions League final in Munich. For us this is an extra motivation, because he was excited to be in the Club World Cup final.”
One Final Hurrah
With the Brazilian season just ended, the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final represents the last match of a long season for Santos. A mid-table league finish was disappointing, especially considering the outstanding talent on display, but it is true Neymar and co. concentrated more on winning the Copa Libertadores earlier in the year.
Following a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Sao Paulo on the final weekend, this clash against the Champions League holders is a great opportunity for the club to finish on a high however, and for the players to impress on the international club stage.
In their semi-final, Santos made somewhat heavy work of beating Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol. Shaky at the back, the Copa Libertadores holders went on to win 3-1 thanks to stunning strikes from Borges, Danilo and Neymar. Santos’ gifted attacking unit will have to shine if they are to overcome the might of Barcelona.
Coach Muricy Ramalho remains confident: "We have to mark tightly, put pressure on them and gamble on some things happening: a through-ball from Ganso or Elano, a stroke of genius from Neymar perhaps. Neymar will definitely do something. I have no doubt he will make them suffer.”
Recent form
Barcelona:
Al Sadd 0-4 Barcelona
(15/12, FIFA Club World Cup)
Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona
(10/12, La Liga)
Barcelona 4-0 BATE Borisov
(06/12, Champions League)
Santos:
Kashiwa Reysol 1-3 Santos
(14/12, FIFA Club World Cup)
Sao Paulo 4-1 Santos (04/12, Brasileirao)
Santos 1-1 Esporte Clube Bahia (27/11, Brasileirao)
Key absences
Barcelona: David Villa; Alexis Sanchez (doubt); Ibrahim Afellay
Santos: None
Players to watch
Barcelona – Lionel Messi: It is now three matches since Messi scored for Barcelona. Earlier in the season, the Argentine wizard ended a similar ‘drought’ with successive hat-tricks. The susceptible Santos defence must pay very close attention to the world’s greatest player, a forward who now has the phenomenal record of scoring 80 times in his last 80 games. If he is given space he will well and truly make the Brazilians pay.
Santos – Neymar: Santos boast a number of stars of Brazilian football past and future. In midfield, Ganso is highly rated, while Elano is an experienced Brazil international, but it is up front where Ramalho’s men are most dangerous. Borges is talented but Brazilian Footballer of the Year Neymar is truly lethal. Quick, skilful and powerful in front of goal, the youngster can make things happen.
Match Prediction
Much will depend on mentality in this intercontinental clash. If Barcelona have one or more eyes on La Liga and the Champions League, then Santos’ gifted forwards may well pull off an upset. However, Neymar and co. could be a little drained at the end of a long season. Either way it will be a fascinating encounter, but expect Guardiola’s side to have the momentum and talent to make it two Club World Cup wins in three years. Barcelona 3-1 Santos.
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