Raja ready to spring a surprise against Bayern
Print Edition
After sweeping aside Ronaldinho and Atletico Mineiro, Moroccan club Raja Casablanca is now trying to figure out how it can stop Bayern Munich in today’s FIFA Club World Cup final.
Raja surprised many by reaching the final, and is now one win from becoming the first club from outside Europe and South America to win the continental tournament.
“We will need the best of us to (win),” Raja coach Faouzi Benzarti said through a translator. “We know the character of the German teams. We should not let them attack us all the time.”
Struggling in the domestic league, Raja hired Benzarti in the buildup to the tournament. The Tunisian, who has been coaching in north Africa since the 1970s, has since guided the club to three straight victories.
While the host club is certainly in good form after beating Brazil’s Atletico 3-1 in the semifinals, Bayern is looking to finish off 2013 with a record-breaking fifth trophy.
The Germans have already won the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
“Getting to the final was a must,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said. “It gives us the opportunity to get our hands on another trophy.”
Bayern beat Asian champion Guangzhou Evergrande of China 3-0 in the semifinals.
“Everyone expected Atletico Mineiro to make the final. No one, not even here in Morocco, thought Casablanca would make it,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. “It’s a surprise to everyone, us included.”
Bayern’s attack will likely be the key to today’s match at Marrakech Stadium.
The Germans held 72 percent of the possession with 13 shots on goal against Guangzhou despite missing Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
In their absence, Franck Ribery, Mario Goetze and Thiago Alcantara guided the attack of an offense that looked similar to coach Pep Guardiola’s time at Barcelona, although with more direct passes and scoring chances.
Raja has also shown it can play attacking football, exposing Atletico’s lumbering center backs in the semifinal win. After the match, Ronaldinho was mobbed by Raja players, who stripped him of his jersey and shoes for mementos.
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