Bayern – Raja Casablanca preview, the underdog that bites

World Champions? FC Bayern takes on Raja Casablanca on Saturday in the Club World Cup final, having to face a side that can’t believe it made it so far.

Raja, the fighters

Having been invited as hosts, we can’t say that Raja do not deserve being in the final. Their combative spirit helped them overcome superior sides, sometimes in dramatic fashion.

Officially, they are set as a 4-2-3-1 but they can play a conservative style, especially without the ball. The formation could be seen as a 4-6-0 or 4-4-1-1 at times, with a nose for the counterattack.

In other competitions, Raja has shown very good ability on set pieces. Defenders Ismail Benlamalem and Adil Karrouchy, as well as midfielder Vivien Madibé have wicked shots. Although taken against lesser goalkeepers than Manuel Neuer, the free kicks they scored were very good.

Karrouchy is the kind of left-back who doesn’t mind venturing forward for a crack on goal. Madibé is good component of a short passing game in the middle, when Raja is in possession. He can also recuperate the ball well.

Playmaker Chemseddine Chtibi was seen, by most, as the one who tapped in the first goal against Monterrey. He’s also a good free kick taker.

Attacking midfielder Abdelilah Hafidi has nice ball control, speed and composure when approaching a goalkeeper. His dribbling and shot-taking are excellent.

Against Atletico Mineiro in the Club World Cup semi, Raja took advantage of a superior but complacent team. Notably, striker Mouhssine Iajour punished them with pace and good shot placement on the counter. He also drew a penalty with his dangerous movement. Yet, Raja’s defence was still suspect in the air.

In an earlier stage of the competition, Monterrey almost made them pay the price for their lack of defensive effectiveness. It bombarded their goal. The space Raja conceded in the air, on a set piece, was surprising. Monterrey’s quick attacks caught them out of position, multiple times. But again, Raja’s skills on a set piece is what allowed them to go through, in dramatic fashion (95').

If Bayern isn’t as complacent as Mineiro, those are weaknesses that should be taken advantage of.

Possible lineup

Bayern, looking for the exclamation point

For Bayern, this game is all about adding a final touch of glamour to a year of 2013 that has been amazing. A fifth big title, crowning the Reds as world champions, would make the year exceptional in the team’s history.

We are most likely to see the usual mix of players in a 4-1-4-1 in this game, with either Javi or Philipp Lahm at defensive midfield and the usual suspects forward.

Having been punished on corners in previous years, FCB has to be aware of Raja’s ability on set pieces. Counterattacks also have to be watched.

Everybody can expect Bayern to have a monster share of possession and the key remains not being complacent. Raja is an underdog that bit opponents who left their flesh exposed.

The game plan shouldn’t be too complicated. Hold the ball, don’t give it away cheaply and look to punish defensive mistakes. If that happens, it should be an easy win to end 2013 in style.

Possible lineup