Barcelona Vs. Santos, 2011 FIFA Club World Cup: Cules’ Left Side The Key - Barca Blaugranes

Barcelona and Santos are both littered with fantastic attacking players, and since the Club World Cup is just a glorified friendly, they should have all kinds of freedom and space to roam. Yes, David Villa did pick up a terrible injury in the semifinal, but it was sustained on an awkward landing, not a crunching challenge. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Neymar and Ganso should have plenty of opportunity to show off their skills. They're the players everyone knows and that everyone will be watching. So, let's take a look at the less obvious.

FC Barcelona blog Barca Blaugranes is expecting to see a first team and a decent tactical battle, as if this were a real competitive fixture. Maybe it is? Kind of? In any event, they see the key battle as the one between Santos' right-sided players and Barcelona's left-sided players.

Eric Abidal should complete the defensive line-up at left-back and he will have to be careful with Danilo operating at right-back. Danilo is certainly a right-back in the mould of Dani Alves, but just as Abidal must be careful, the same can be said of the Brazilian. If he leaves a substantial gap on the right, it will be capitalised upon and whether Henrique (not to be confused with the ex-Barca man or Ganso) covers if Danilo ventures forward remains to be seen.