Scolari proud of Guangzhou despite Barcelona loss — FIFA CWC

Messi was diagnosed Thursday morning with renal colic, a type of abdominal pain commonly attributed to kidney stones.

River will surely head into this match with the hope of keeping things at the back for as long as possible. All our players are important, but it was vital that I concentrated so I could win us the game.

“I think he’ll be there on Sunday. It will be the culmination of all we have worked for”.

Barcelona took the lead in the 39th minute when Li Shuai could only parry Ivan Rakitic’s powerful strike from distance into the path of Suarez, who was on hand to poke home the rebound.

“What we are anxious about is their defense”, said Iniesta.

He informed El Observador: ‘Profitable the Champions League was a dream and we now have to attempt to do one higher now.

“It’s going to be complicated and hard”. We can only guarantee a close-fought final by playing the way we do in crucial games.

Not since the inaugual edition of this tournament has the European representative failed to reach the final, and in only three of the 10 finals since has a non-UEFA team lifted the trophy. It’s going to be very intense.

“It’s a great challenge for us. We won’t lose our focus”.

Yet, since lifting the Copa Libertadores, River have struggled for form, seemingly affected by the loss of Argentina global defender Ramiro Funes Mori to Everton and strikers Teófilo Gutiérrez and Fernando Cavenaghi to Sporting Lisbon and Apoel Nicosia, respectively.

The famous Buenos Aires club has been revived spectacularly by former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marcello Gallardo, who has guided them to continental glory just three years after they were in the Argentinean second tier.

In contrast to Barcelona, River Plate’s players have only a smattering of global appearances between them, usually in low-key friendlies.

As a result, South American teams, who once competed on equal terms with their European counterparts, now look upon the competition as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face a top team.

“Our strategy was good up to a certain point, but Barcelona are different, a fantastic team”, Scolari told reporters.

“We say that we have the better potential to win but we don’t know if that’s true or not until after the 90 minutes”, he said. It’s going to be a tough match for both sides.

Barcelona to meet River Plate in Fifa Club World Cup finalBy Naveel Krishant Friday 18/12/2015Barcelona FC.

Barca coach Luis Enrique on Saturday denied freaky claims of a conspiracy surrounding injured talisman Messi.