An historic 2015 draws to a close in Japan for Luis Enrique’s side, where they have joined the other five continental champions to partake in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup.
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“[Messi, Suarez and Neymar] are similar to the Brazil 2002 forwards [Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho], but I don’t know which trio has more quality”, said Scolari.
Willian and Sterling were accompanied by Genk star Sven Kums, who played a pivotal role in keeping Valencia off the second place and ensuring the Belgians qualify from the Group Stage. “It will be a huge challenge but one we relish”.
While Barça is definitely the odds-on favorite to win the game and advance to the final on Sunday, the Southern China Tigers should definitely not be counted out especially now that the team is led by World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his Brazilian crew composed of Elkeson, Paulinho, Robinho, Alan, and Ricardo Goulart.
“When we arrived on the bus I had some nice flashbacks to that time”, said Scolari.
“We have done a little homework on them and they are a very dynamic team and very good at controlling the ball”, said Pique. During Gerardo Martino’s brief tenure in charge of Barcelona in 2013-14 there were entirely believable murmurs that, as president, Rosell’s ultimate goal was to bring Big Phil in at the end of the season once the World Cup was over.
“I don’t need to say anything to my players to give them any extra motivation”, insisted Scolari.
River Plate, which won the tournament in 1986 when it was known the Intercontinental Cup, was in Japan in August when it beat Gamba Osaka 3-0 in a match between the reigning champions of the J-League Cup and the Copa Sudamericana.
Barcelona are two-time winners of the Club World Cup – a competition founded in 2000.
Evergrande captain Zheng Zhi promised that the Chinese would not be intimidated by their illustrious opponents.
“We are a more balanced side”, said Guangzhou midfielder Huang Bowen. Barcelona will walk it. However if the Argentinians are able to shrink spaces in three-quarters of the pitch and not just boot long passes to Alario, then they could complicate things for Barcelona. “Barcelona are a fantastic side but we will be ready”.
Barcelona is looking to claim its third Club World Cup in seven years this week in Yokohama and cap off a stellar year that saw the Catalan giants win the Champions League, Spanish league, Spanish cup and European Super Cup titles.
“Our goal against Barcelona in the semi-final?”
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And the Barca boss is keen to downplay his team’s tag as heavy favourites to win the tournament, pointing to Guangzhou’s most recent outing as evidence for caution.
