Match Preview: Sunday 17/12/2006 19:20 (Japanese time): FIFA Club World Cup, Final
FC BARCELONA - INTERNACIONAL PORTO ALEGRE

Yokohama Stadium, Japan – Capacity: 71.000
Referee: Carlos Batres


Probable Line-Up:

FC BARCELONA (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol, Gio - Motta, Iniesta (Xavi), Deco - Giuly, Gudjohnsen, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


INTERNACIONAL (4-3-1-2): Clemer - Ceará, Índio, Fabiano Eller, Rubens Cardoso - Edinho, Wellington Monteiro, Alex - Fernandão - Iarley, Alexandre Pato - Manager: Abel Braga


Match Preview:
FC Barcelona is focussed and prepared to bring the Cup to Camp Nou, that Barca has never won in their history so far. This trophy, for sure, would get a special place in the Barca Museum at Camp Nou: next to the European Cup 2006 and Belletti´s boots!

Finals are finals and there are no favourites but Barca showed impressively last thursday in their 4-0 victory why they wear the favourite tag at their shirt in Sunday´s Final in Yokohama.
Copa Liberatores winner Internacional from Porto Alegre, Barzil and European Champions FC Barcelona have very strong and exciting squads, therefore it is expected to see a real battle and classy football.


FC Barcelona have Edmilson back, but will probably take a place on the bench, while Motta seems the perfect match for Internacional captain Fernandao, who will play behind the two fast strikers Iarley and Alexandre Pato. We do not suspect many changes in the Barca team that beat Club America 4-0 on Thursday.


Internacional is expected to field an offensive team to try to pressurize Barca right from the beginning. Peruvian left full back Hidalgo is out of the Barcelona game with an injury and will be replaced by Rubens Cardoso. Also Vargas, a more defensive midfielder player, will be most likely replaced by a more constructive Alex, who will be paired alongside Edinho and Wellington Monteiro.

Internacional captain Fernadao, an excellent goal scorer will play behind the two fast and technical skilled strikers, Iarley and Alexandre Pato.


Barca will face an oppononent that will probably attack, unlike most of Barca´s opponents. This is the basis for some very exciting football.



My Prediction:

To win the FIFA Club World Cup final will not be easy for FC Barcelona. The team will face a tough and strong opponent. The team has to be 100% focussed and will have to show a hard battling attitude on the pitch.


We Barca fans had to wait for 14 years to have another opportunity to win the World Cup for Club teams. The team and coach can make history and they are all well aware of this. The team is in a good shape and full of confidence. The football world sees Barcelona as favourites, but we all know, anything can happen.


Should the dream come true? Spanish Champions, European Champions and World Champions, all in one year! We are 90 minutes away.
The team has all our support and now we can only hope the dream comes true!


FC Barcelona - Internacional 2:1

Ronaldinho will be at his best and Gudjohnsen will score the decisive goal!


Visca el Barca!