Club World Cup Final: Real Madrid vs San Lorenzo preview

December 19, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Real Madrid vs San LorenzoHaving eased off to the final with a 4-0 triumph over Cruz Azul, Real Madrid aim to add another major title to their trophy cabinet by defeating San Lorenzo.

The Argentine giants needed extra time to defeat Auckland City in the semis, but they clearly have a mountain to climb on Saturday evening.

Real Madrid have been playing their best football in years this season and it is fair to say Carlo Ancelotti’s charges seem unstoppable at the moment.

Los Blancos easily secured progress into the Champions League knockout stage, where they will be vying Schalke for a place in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, they have opened up a four-point lead at the La Liga summit, so it goes without saying that everything is going according to plan for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

Real Madrid obviously want to prove they are rightly considered one of world’s strongest sides, so you can back them at 1.40 (2/5) for a half-time/full-time win over San Lorenzo.

Los Blancos have now won amazing 21 matches in all competitions and no doubt they will be eager to extend that run in Marrakech.

Sergio Ramos is doubtful after suffering a muscle injury against Cruz Azul, but James Rodriguez has resumed training and is expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Casillas – Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo – Bale, Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez – Benzema, Ronaldo.

Together with Velez Sarsfield, San Lorenzo have taken over domestic domination from Boca Juniors and River Plate in recent years.

Los Matadores surprised everyone by lifting the Copa Libertadores title last season, defeating Nacional Asuncion in a two-legged final.

The team have since failed to impress in the Apertura Championship, but they arrived at the Club World Cup in good spirits, following impressive triumphs over Estudiantes and Velez Sarsfield.

Los Matadores didn’t seem to have taken the semi-final clash against Auckland City seriously as they could only make it through after scoring in extra time, but there is no danger of a wrong mental approach when facing Real Madrid.

And even if there is a clear difference in class between the two sides, it is important to note that San Lorenzo are 11.00 (10/1) to lift the coveted trophy.

There have been no fresh selection worries for coach Edgardo Bauza, who is widely expected to field the same side that started the semi-final clash.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Torrico – Buffarini, Yepes, Kannemann, Mas – Mercier, Ortigoza, Kalinski – Barrientos – Veron, Cauteruccio.

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