Meet the Club World Cup teams: Barcelona

The Catalans won the tournament in 2009 to make history as they claimed a sixth trophy out of six. And a potentially-fascinating final meeting with Santos awaits this time around

Dec 8, 2011 7:00:00 AM

More On :  Barcelona
Leo Messi - Barcelona (Getty Images)
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PROFILE
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Editor

The 2011 Club World Cup is fast approaching, and those taking part are keen to begin their run in the competition, with an eye on the ultimate prize.

The tournament, which runs from December 8 to 18 in Japan, sees the top clubs from all the world's football confederations battle it out for glory.

In the lead up to the tournament, Goal.com will present all seven teams that will be taking part in this highly-anticipated competition. Here, we profile Barcelona.

SHORT HISTORY
Barcelona was founded in 1899 and although the Catalans have experienced success throughout their history, world domination was a long time coming.

The Blaugrana have claimed La Liga on 21 occasions and won the Copa del Rey a record 25 times, but its first European Cup didn't arrive until 1992, with current coach Pep Guardiola in the side coached by Johan Cruyff.

Another Champions League followed in 2006, but the Club World Cup remained elusive until 2009, when Guardiola led his beloved Barca to six trophies in the space of just over a year. Now he has 12 titles from 15 and is the club's most successful coach ever, while the Catalans can boast two Champions League crowns in the last three seasons - and now look set to rule the roost on a world level once again, too.

Few teams can claim their present day to be better than even their greatest glories from the past. But Barcelona can.
TACTICS & PLAYING STYLE
Under Pep Guardiola, Barcelona has remained true to its traditional 4-3-3, although the Catalan coach has recently experimented with a Dream Team-inspired three-man defense and also revolutionized his attack by deploying Lionel Messi as a false No. 9.

Essentially, it's all about possession play, pressing, and passing for Guardiola's great side, as Messi drops deep to join Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the center of the park, Dani Alves surges forward on the flank from the right-back position and Cesc Fabregas specializes in late runs into the box. Danger comes from all over the pitch.
THE STAR | Lionel Messi

Who else? The astonishing Argentine has been at his brilliant best again this season, destroying defenses at will for Barcelona. The 24-year-old was the hero two years ago as the Catalans claimed the coveted Club World Cup trophy for the very first time in its history, as he bagged the decider in extra time to end Estudiantes' hopes of an upset.

And having scored in four out of four competitions so far this season, he will be out to complete the set and match the record established by teammate Pedro - who became the only player ever to net in six major tournaments in one year - in 2009.
THE SYMBOL | Carles Puyol
Club captain, Catalan, courageous and as committed as they come, Carles Puyol is the undoubted symbol of this Barcelona team. The 33-year-old missed large chunks of last season with a serious knee injury and all of the side's five defeats in 2010-11 came when he was missing.

Barca's defensive displays this term haven't always convinced, but Puyol brings an added security to the Blaugrana backline - and he lifts the level of those around him. With a tricky final appearance against Santos the most likely scenario in Japan, Pep Guardiola's men will hope their seasoned skipper is fit to lead from the back as they look to seal their second Club World Cup win in three years.
THE YOUNGSTER | Isaac Cuenca
A few months ago, few football fans had heard of Isaac Cuenca. Even the press in Spain seemed more interested in the progress of fellow La Masia student Gerard Deulofeu. The latter looks a wonderful prospect on the wing, but Cuenca is a little older, has stepped up sooner and been a revelation recently for the Catalan club.

Against BATE Borisov on Tuesday, the winger set up two, scored another and won the penalty converted by Pedro for the fourth of the night. It was hugely impressive, and he's still only 20. Already he is being talked about as a starter for Spain at Euro 2012. Guardiola says people are getting ahead of themselves. But they aren't; he really is that good.
THREE FUN FACTS

  • Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola played the full 90 minutes as the Catalans lost 2-1 to Tele Santana's Sao Paulo side in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup, which was later given a new format and became the Club World Cup. In 2006, Barca lost out to another Brazilian side, Internacional, and had to wait until 2009 to claim the trophy, with Guardiola as coach. Having won an unprecedented six tophies from six, the Barca boss broke down in tears.
  • Barca's fixture against Real Madrid at the weekend was almost rescheduled due to the Catalans' Club World Cup participation. In the end, however, it was moved to the Saturday and gives Guardiola's men enough time to travel out to Japan.
  • South America and Europe are tied on 25 titles each counting both the Intercontinental and Club World Cups, with four straight victories for European teams closing the gap in recent years.

PROBABLE STARTING XI

Pep Guardiola could decide to choose a three-man defense, as he has done lately, but should he deploy the side's traditional 4-3-3 formation, the below line-up is about as strong as it gets in world football. Cesc Fabregas, Thiago, David Villa and Javier Mascherano will all be in contention for starting places, too, however. Ibrahim Afellay is the only current casualty.

Valdes
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Cuenca, Messi, Alexis

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