Barcelona vs. River Plate: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
There was bad news for River Plate and good news for FC Barcelona on Saturday night in Japan.
Lionel Messi and Neymar stepped out onto the turf, under the floodlights at a chilly Nissan Stadium and took part in training, under the command of Luis Enrique.
It means they are likely to start the Club World Cup final on Sunday, after shaking off their recent injury problems.
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Although only the start of the session was open to the media, the pair of forwards looked in good shape and took part in the warm-up.
Neymar had suffered a groin strain the previous week, as Barcelona prepared to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, while Messi called in sick minutes before the players were about to head to the Yokohama ground to face Guangzhou Evergrande on Thursday.
Neither player featured, but the third member of the attacking trident, Luis Suarez, scored for both of them and one for himself, as Barcelona beat the Chinese side 3-0 in the semi-final of the competition, to set up an intriguing tie against River Plate.
Marcelo Gallardo's Argentine side weren't at their best in their 1-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday, but they will be excited and raring to go as the champions of South America take on the champions of Europe.
River Plate fans and players take this competition very seriously, and their coach said that while Barcelona may have the stars, it's his side who have the passion and desire to win the game.
Per the Barcelona website Gallardo said: "Barca have the best players, and we have a great heart."
With the return of Messi and Neymar, Barcelona are boosted, having relied on the deadly finishing of Suarez and Andres Iniesta's creativity to get past Guangzhou.
River have enjoyed an extra day's rest and have been in Japan longer, so physically and mentally they may be better prepared for the final, even if on a technical level Barcelona win every time.
Nearly 2,000 Los Millonarios fans headed to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo for a rally before the game, hoping to transmit their energy to the players.
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta noted the effort the River fans had gone to, to reach Japan, but he said when it comes down to it, it's all about the individual battles on the pitch. He noted, per Sport:
"They will be a very intense 90 minutes, footballing battles will happen all over the pitch. I don't like to talk about favourites in a final, ahead of taking on River. It's a 50-50. River is a potent team and we are worried about the defence they have. They have quality players in the middle of the pitch and up front. They will feel the warmth of their fans who have made a brutal effort to be here. But on the pitch it's 11 vs 11.
"
Now all there's left to do is wait to see whether he's right. One thing is for sure: River Plate fans will have strong representation and vocal backing when these teams meet on Sunday.
Date: Sunday, December 20
Time: 10.30 a.m. GMT/5.30 a.m. ET
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
TV Info: UK N/A, USA: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Form Lines
| Barcelona form | River Plate form |
| W 3-0 vs Guangzhou Evergrande (N) | W 1-0 vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (N) |
| D 2-2 vs Deportivo (H) | D 2-2 vs Huracan (A) |
| D 1-1 vs Bayer Leverkusen (A) | L 0-2 vs Newell's Old Boys (H) |
| D 1-1 vs Valencia (A) | L 0-1 vs Huracan (H) |
| W 6-1 vs Villanovense (H) | W 0-1 vs Velez Sarsfield (A) |
Predicted Formations
With Messi and Neymar back, Barcelona are pretty much at full strength. Claudio Bravo started ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the first game, but perhaps the German will be given a chance in the final.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
River Plate (4-4-2): Barovero; Mercado, Maidana, Balanta, Vangioni; Sanchez, Kranevitter, Ponzio, Mayada; Mora, Alario.
Players to watch
It will be interesting to see Luis Suarez adapting back to being the least flashy man in the forward trio, as opposed to the most. The Uruguayan works hard without complaint when Messi and Neymar are on the scene.
Meanwhile, River Plate midfielder Matias Kranevitter won't be a River Plate midfielder much longer. He signed for Atletico Madrid months ago and was just waiting to play this tournament before heading to the Spanish capital in January. He helps River win the ball back and creates plenty of moves himself.
Key battle
River Plate's best hope is to keep it extremely tight at the back and hope to snatch a goal. Obviously that's easier said than done against Messi, Neymar and Suarez, but with the former two coming back from injury, it could happen.
If it does, it will be Lucas Alario's job to put the ball in the net. He did it in the semi-final, as well as in the Copa Libertadores final, so Barcelona better watch out.
Javier Mascherano was good against Guangzhou, shutting down attacks well, but he is still viewed as the weaker of the starting centre-backs at Barcelona. Alario will try to punish him, so the Argentine must be alert.
Odds (via Odds Checker)
FC Barcelona 1/9
River Plate 22
Draw 7
