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| Edited By: Vineet Varma |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 06:44 PM IST
As Real Madrid get set to dazzle the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, come the Club World Cup finale against San Lorenzo on Saturday, the clash depicts a stark contrast between the two sides, with one swimming all round in monies, whereas the other being the 'poor' Latin American counterpart.
The final is touted to be a clash between Madrid's 'billionaires' and the Argentine 'carasucias', with the former all but expected to cruise to an easy win.
The Argentine 'dirty faces' have qualified for the tournament, thanks to their historic Copa Libertadores win over Nacional in 2014, whereas Madrid have automatic qualification, owing to their European champions tag.
Contrasting routes to the final
Karim Benzema may give San Lorenzo a hard time in the final (Getty Images)
Both sides have had contrasting routes to Saturday's final, as Madrid literally toyed with Mexico's Cruz Azul in the first semi-final, whereas San Lorenzo had to labour to an extra time win over Auckland City FC in the other.
Madrid's 4-0 rout saw Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco get on the scoresheet and proved that Carlo Ancelotti's men could win big even when playing in second-gear.
On the other hand, San Lorenzo huffed and puffed to edge past Auckland, as only a Mauro Matos goal in extra time could help the Argentines progress.
Madrid are expected to steamroll the Argentines, thanks to their dazzling repertoire of stars, whereas apart from Colombia's Mario Yepes, San Lorenzo has no other big name to boast on paper.
Yepes, who skippered Colombia in their run to the 2014 World Cup quarter-final (they lost out to Brazil), is the rock in the San Lorenzo defence, as the 38-year old has a wealth of experience to his name.
'Super Mario' as he is affectionately dubbed, had a good game against Auckland, though it is another matter that Madrid are a vastly superior opposition in comparision.
It would be interesting to see as to how Yepes would cope with the blistering pace of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or James Rodriguez, either of whom are expected to play as strikers on Saturday.
Game theory
Mario Yepes is the only notable star for San Lorenzo (Getty)
Ancelotti's men would most likely target Yepes and the inexperienced San Lorenzo back-line, with mazy runs and blistering crosses, and would look to stretch the Argentines to the limit.
A back-line consisting of Yepes, Walter Kannemann and Emmanuel Más does not inspire much confidence, and the trio would have to play the game of their lives, if they are to stop the likes of Bale, Jese and Isco from ravaging them.
The experience of Yepes can only carry the Argentines so far, as the Colombian has lost out on pace with age, and juggling with the task of manning the defence and also dealing with the world-class Madrid forward line may turn out to be too much for the veteran defender.
None of San Lorenzo's forwards look like having the wherewithal to make Madrid's defenders into a sweat, as Sergio Ramos, Fábio Coentrão and Raphael Varane can gobble them up for breakfast.
Though winning the Copa Libertadores can be considered as a good enough achievement for San Lorenzo, it definitely pales in comparision when you have the enviable task of squaring up against the European champions.
So come the big day it won't be a surprise if Madrid sweep past San Lorenzo without a sweat and add the Club World Cup trophy to their glittering cabinet.
