San Lorenzo vs. Real Madrid: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Club World Cup

Real Madrid and San Lorenzo will meet in the final of the Club World Cup on Saturday in Morocco to determine, in theory, who is the best team in the world.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are at the tournament after winning the Champions League and beat Mexican side Cruz Azul 4-0 in their semifinal on Tuesday evening.

A day later, San Lorenzo, who are representing South America as winners of the Copa Libertadores, beat Auckland City after extra time.

Pablo Barrientos' half-volley had given them the lead, but they were pegged back by an Angel Berlanga goal, leaving substitute Mauro Matos to become the hero in the additional 30 minutes.

They will now attempt to become the first Argentine side to win the tournament since it took its current format in 2005.

B/R takes a look at some of the issues and decisions which could shape the game.

Real Madrid off-day

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Not only are Real Madrid looking to win their fourth trophy of the year, they are also attempting to win their 22nd consecutive game in all competitions.

And given their desire for wins and goals over the last few months, you wouldn't bet against them achieving it.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn't score in the semifinal, will be desperate to make his mark in the game, which is bad news for San Lorenzo.

Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will join the Portuguese forward in attack, while Isco is in fine form and James Rodriguez could also feature at some point.

If Madrid click, win 22 will follow; they'll have to have an off-day to allow San Lorenzo to steal the trophy.

The Referee

Moises Castillo/Associated Press

The game hasn't kicked off yet, but it has already become clear that the referee on Saturday night will be firmly under the spotlight.

Walter Lopez, from Guatemala, has been handed the whistle, and Spanish publication Marca (in Spanish) has claimed he's the man San Lorenzo wanted to be in charge of the match, stating the club put pressure on FIFA to make sure it was him, not the Portuguese official Pedro Proenca.

The Argentines would have preferred the Chilean Eduardo Osses, the article continues, but they are satisfied with Lopez.

Matias Lammens, the San Lorenzo president, said it was a logical decision to have a referee from a different continent and then had a dig at Madrid defender Pepe.

"I don't think either of the teams will be violent," he said, per Pablo Polo in Marca.

"In any case, San Lorenzo will also need to watch out for Pepe. There is your headline right there..."

Cup-Winning Manager

Abdeljalil Bounhar/Associated Press

San Lorenzo will hope their secret weapon lies off the pitch on Saturday night.

When Juan Antonio Pizzi upped sticks and left the club for Valencia last year, the board had no doubts over who they would turn to: Edgardo Bauza.

Bauza's not well known in Europe, but he's built a reputation as a specialist in cup competitions in South America, as Daniel Edwards wrote on B/R:

"

In 2008, the Rosario native shocked South America by taking unheralded Liga de Quito of Ecuador all the way to the Copa Libertadores. It was the first time an Ecuadorian team had lifted the trophy.

A second spell in Quito in 2010 saw Bauza lift the Recopa against reigning Libertadores champions Estudiantes.

El Paton was hired [at San Lorenzo] to deliver continental success, and after just eight months in the job, he achieved that goal.

"

Toppling a Real Madrid side who have won 21 games in a row, though, would rank alongside Bauza's previous successes.

Midfield Battle

Abdeljalil Bounhar/Associated Press

If Real Madrid's forwards see a lot of the ball, they'll score a lot of goals. Or at least that's what they've made a habit of doing lately.

For that reason, San Lorenzo will have to win the battle in midfield.

And Nestor Ortigoza, who's garnered a tough reputation, has told FIFA.com he and his team-mates are more than up for the battle:

"Those [Madrid] players can be like robots, but they can make mistakes too. From a distance they are like machines, but when the ball starts rolling, I am the best. Me and my team-mates."

With Luka Modric injured and James Rodriguez not fully fit, the Argentine side need to make their mark in the middle of the pitch.

That's easier said than done, though.

Toni Kroos is in inspired form, Isco is flowering and Asier Illarramendi has done well in his recent run of starts—Sami Khedira also came on as a substitute in the semifinal.

Iker Casillas 700

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Iker Casillas has played a key part in Real Madrid's last two wins, even if they did eventually end up looking rather comfortable.

Against Almeria he saved a penalty at 2-1 and in the victory over Cruz Azul he stopped one at 2-0.

In the Club World Cup final, presuming he starts ahead of Keylor Navas, he will make his 700th appearance for Los Blancos, per Jack Davies of Goal.com.

And he'll be looking to crown that milestone with another trophy.

Madrid are expected to have the better chances, but San Lorenzo will create some of their own; Casillas will have to maintain his concentration.