The tournament and format are unusual. However FIFA’s Club World Cup is a trophy that no champion would want to let pass by. It’s certainly true that the Intercontinental Trophy, which was played in Japan was a more straight forward competition: The European champion against the South American champion, a morning kick-off and a Toyota car for the best player. Now it’s been dressed up but the essence remains. Let me get the dressing and lettuce out of the way if you don’t mind. Real Madrid and San Lorenzo de Almagro are scheduled to play in Morocco to dispute the old world champion crown: just this time they have dress rehearsals against Cruz Azul and Auckland City as starters.
Today’s rivals for Madrid are Mexican side, Cruz Azul, founded by the cement making company, Cooperativa Cruz Azul (whose sales fluctuate according to the success of the team on the pitch). They won the last edition of the Concacaf Champions League, but are not expected to put up too much resistance, having being recently eliminated in the current Concachampions by Alajuelense (Costa Rica) and failed to qualify for their domestic league play-offs. They struggled to beat Australian side, Western Sydney Wanderers, with goals from, Torrado (35) and ex- Betis player, Pavone (32 years old). Luis Amaranto Perea, arguably their best player is out with a knee injury.
Madrid, on the other hand, come into the game on the back of 20 straight wins, four away from the record held by Brazilian side Coritiba. Ancelotti is expected to field his strongest side with Ramos coming in for Varane. Changes are anticipated in goal with Keylor Navas starting as a strong possibility. The rest of the team is expected to be unchanged, with Illarra in the midfield and the “BBC” forward line.
from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1sw1bmP
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