Manchester City are favourites to lift the Champions League trophy again (Picture: Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand believes Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are good enough to challenge for the Champions League this season, but believes Manchester City will be lifting the trophy again on 1 June at Wembley.
The defending champions had no problem in dealing with Young Boys at the Etihad on Tuesday night, sweeping the Swiss team aside 3-0 thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland and another from Phil Foden.
That makes it four wins from four games for Pep Guardiola’s team and they have already guaranteed qualification, although are yet to secure top spot.
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have both played three matches, but are both also boasting an 100 per cent record so far and looking good.
Ferdinand recognises the power of the two European giants and would not be surprised to see either in the final, but sounds set on a City triumph for the second year on the spin.
Asked for who can challenge City in the Champions League, Ferdinand told TNT Sport: ‘Real Madrid have obviously got that relationship with this tournament and they’ve got some fantastic players, Jude Bellingham in fine form. They’d be one you’d mention.
‘I think the forward line, the front line especially at Bayern Munich could cause any team in this competitions problems, especially with Harry Kane scoring at the rate that he is.
‘But I don’t see anybody who is the full package, you can pick holes in all those teams This is the only team you look at and think they’re a complete team. That’s the problem with everyone else.’
On the comfortable win on Tuesday night, Guardiola told TNT Sports: ‘The word that define this group of players for many years is the consistency. We have high standards and and that is why we are still in the Premier League up there and qualified from the Champions League.
‘People say “yeah, the group stage, it is easy”, but you have to do it. In life, you have to do it when people expect you to do it.
‘Two games left. Leipzig are the toughest opponents in this group and we have to try and finish further. It is important in the last 16 to have the weapon of second game at home rather than away.’
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Although he is not convinced.
