A new edition of the Club World Cup is already on the horizon.
At the moment there are only four qualified teams: Al Ain (champion of the League of the organising country, United Arab Emirates), Team Wellington (winner of the Champions League of Oceania, New Zealand), Chivas de Guadalajara (champion of the Champions League of North America, Mexico) and Real Madrid (champion of the Champions League of Europe, Spain). The biggest continental tournaments in Asia, South America and Africa still have no champion ... but all three are in the semifinals. The toughest opponents come from South America... and they would face Real Madrid if Julen Lopetegui's team win their semi-final (against the winner of the duel between the Asian champion and Chivas de Guadalajara).
Gremio, the current Copa Libertadores champions
The Brazilian team will play River Plate in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. Current champion of the competition, the Brazilians already played against Real Madrid in the final of the Club World Cup in 2017. Arthur, Lucas Barrios, Fernandinho Silva, Jailson and Edilson have all left, but they have strengthened well.
Five points behind the leader with 10 games to go, Renato Gaucho's team are looking to retain their championship title in South America, something that hasn't happened since Boca Juniors did it in 2000 and 2001. The group is quite old, with warriors such as Marcelo Grohe (31 years old), Leo Moura (39), Pedro Geromel (33), Maicon (34) still playing... but they also have youngsters like Everton (22) and, above all, Luan.
River Plate, the team at the coach's service
In spectacular form, betting houses nevertheless give River the least likely chance to be champion. The team had a period of poor results about a year ago, but in 2018 the team became very difficult to beat. In fact, throughout this year they have only lost three matches between all competitions. The last defeat dates back to February, against Velez in a league match.
In addition, the victory at La Bombonera against Boca (2-0) has spurred them on to four consecutive victories. A team full of interesting names such as Santos Borre, Juanfer Quintero, Scocco, Pratto, Zuculini, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Perez, Ponzio, Maidana, Armani... although none has had as much impact on the outcome of the matches as coach Gallardo. He's a specialist in changing the game with his substitutions. A tremendous strategist.
A semifinalist in three of the last four editions.
Boca Juniors: probably the best team in the competition
Not going through their best moment and haven't been a Libertadores champion since 2007, but the staff that Barros Schelotto at his disposal is scandalous: Mas, Gago, Wilmar Barrios, Nandez, Pablo Perez, Benedetto, Pavon, Wanchope Abila, Mauro Zarate, Carlos Tevez....
In spite of everything, the curse that Boca seem to have in the competition, suggests caution when thinking of them as being champion of South America. In fact, since losing at home to River, instability reigns at La Bombonera. They lost in the Argentine Cup against Gimnasia La Plata and suffered against Cruzeiro.
Thus, they've only won one of their last five games, against Colon. Before the defeat against River, Boca had achieved five straight wins.
Palmeiras: the favorites to lift the title according to the bookmakers
Currently in the top positions of the league and on a seven-game unbeaten streak, Palmeiras have a squad with names like Miguel Borja (top scorer in the competition), Gustavo Gomez, Felipe Melo, Lucas Lima , Dudu ... and on the bench, an old dog like Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Have only lost one match in the current Copa Libertadores, and were the team that scored the most points in the group stage. They even won in La Bombonera against Boca (2-0)
Palmeiras lifted the South American continental title in 1999 and since then, have only appeared in the final during the following season, 2000, against Boca. This season they have everything to become champions and this is indicated by the bookmakers, who place them as favorites. Will they meet expectations?
Antireal
1
lol four toughest (boca, Palmeiras, River and Gremio) teams hahaha... are you kidding me... daamnnnn haha
just saying but boca beat your stinking madrid the last time they met..and they were the only ones who won a final against them in such competitions until some team called atheltico madrid did it again
Coutinhoneymarjr
0
Trust me Real Madrid won't even make it to the final of this year's tournament.
Stellen_Henriques
0
If real Madrid really play then they will really lose 😁
didadinors
0
no really! real is above them but this year I have a strong feeling things can change
Immanuel7
1
if Palmeiras, Boca, Gremio and River plate are the four toughest teams than I am sure Barcelona, Manchester City, PSG and Juventus are the four most easiest teams in world for Real Madrid..... hahaha
Immanuel7
1
lol four toughest (boca, Palmeiras, River and Gremio) teams hahaha... are you kidding me... daamnnnn haha
billiong
2
It was discovered by the indisputable Mr.Chip who, following the penalty indicated in the Gran Canaria stadium, stated that this succession of matches without penalties does not include the podium of the teams that throughout the history of the League have chained days without being punished with the maximum penalty. Moreover, the Barça players have missed ten days to be able to match Real Madrid, who in two different periods, holds the record.
Rtakiss
1
The first Yugoslav expulsion (m.36) only served to make the shock level numerically. Until then Madrid had played at a disadvantage: Lozano needs a longer rest cure. Only as Schoeters threw Yugoslavia and from the game of Sanchis, from Butragueño -he raised the audience with a play in his first stage appearance-, from Michel, from the presence of Stielike, from the eternal knowledge of Santillana and Valdano and the cold blood of Juanito in the penalty, could lift Madrid the tie and enardecer his fans. Like old times. A European match and arbitration at the Bernabéu.
laptop
1
The South American teams are causing pity in recent years, do not sell us that they are coconuts or anything like that ...
Edeneil
1
Bearing in mind that they are two matches because it enters "semifinals" with a little "luck" is made and another gold ball ex-aequo for Modric, Ramos, Asensio and just in case Vinicius.
Codilra
1
I did not see it, I had not been born: The bronze medal in this category is held by Athletic Club, which in the two years between 1955 and 1957 was 80 days without a penalty against.
Busterbe
0
As long as they do not cancel 3 legal goals in favor (of the penalty not called in favor and of the red one forgiven of the Guild in minute 2, I do not even speak), as in the previous Mundialito and with VAR, the thing will be better than the last year
acteman
0
With that they do not win the Mundialito ... It would be better that they do not come back and stay to play in the Emirates. Hahaha
leausign
0
Since the decade of the 80s and except the occasional exception, the South American teams have nothing to do with Europeans, and the closer we are, the less, are all invited to the party of Madrid, so do not deceive anyone. In the decade of the 60 they would have gone back to Madrid with their tails between their legs.
Loulesis
0
Much cagan and mean those of the sect, up to 20 times before starting a game ... must have the stomach pal drag.
offlinea
0
The Madrid without Cristiano is as bad as the boat xin savi and iniesta, both lost their best players.
Landtiger
0
Do not try to give importance to a summer level turner of preseason.
knackereda
0
Club World Cup ... some teams play more games than others so some arrive more busted, that is not fairness, the big ones always play with an advantage and then they are called super champions. Anyway.
gaopeiost
0
Win x 3 consecutive time the mundialito would be very top. 1000 days as numbers one, nobody has ever achieved and the rm is 2 games back to make history again. Now tell me if it is better to be the best long by very long by much a year, or to be the best for 3 years in a row.
Jasonwarden
0
Do you know who is going to touch the opponent easier? yes, to the club, which will face the command of television to watch the game
moratorium
0
Without Cristiano Madrid is so weak that he can even eliminate an African or Japanese team in the semifinals.
juggernaut
0
Perhaps the most even and exciting eliminatory of the last years of the Copa Libertadores. Gremio is the current champion; Palmeiras was champion of Brazil in 2016, runner-up in 2017 and current leader; River has 31 games undefeated in what is his best historic streak; and Boca has a very complete roster and is one of the most mystical teams in the continent.
makefile
0
If we arrive with the level that we have lately, any of these 4 can win us, and that counting on us to reach the final. I believe that the champion will come out of the River-Guild eliminator.
oversb
0
Gremio already made things difficult for him last year, but the real coconut will be the referee. It is enough to remember the theft of Kashima ...
Bidders
0
Man, as much as coconuts ... Although seeing the ridiculous before the CSKA, anyone is a coconut for the traps.
although
0
The only dangerous is the Palmeiras, and it is by Felipe Melo. If Madrid has to fear the Boca Juniors de Gago ... Turn off and let's go