Rio Ferdinand picks out the two clubs that could stop Manchester City’s bid to retain the Champions League… but insists the Premier League champions are the team to beat
- Manchester City beat Young Boys 3-0 at home on Tuesday night
- City have qualified for the knockout stages with two games to spare
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a CLOWN – It’s All Kicking Off
Rio Ferdinand believes Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the only obstacles standing between Manchester City and a second consecutive Champions League triumph.
The Premier League champions made light work of Young Boys on Tuesday night, sealing their place in the knockout stages following a comfortable 3-0 win at home courtesy of a goal from Phil Foden and a brace from Erling Haaland.
City have now qualified for the knockout stages for 11 consecutive seasons and a draw against RB Leipzig at the Etihad in three weeks will be enough to clinch top spot in Group G.
Real and Bayern are the only two clubs along with City to still boast a perfect record in the Champions League, although both have played one fewer game than Pep Guardiola’s men.
And Ferdinand believes the two European giants are the only teams capable of derailing City’s quest to retain the Champions League.
Rio Ferdinand believes Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the only teams capable of stopping Manchester City in the Champions League
Erling Haaland scored twice as City beat Young Boys 3-0 on Tuesday night to clinch a spot in the knockout stages with two games to spare
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‘Real Madrid have obviously got that relationship with this tournament and they’ve got some fantastic players, Jude Bellingham in fine form,’ the former Manchester United defender told TNT Sports on Tuesday night.
‘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.’
Ferdinand, however, insisted City remained superior to both Real and Bayern.
‘I don’t see anybody who is the full package, you can pick holes in all those teams,’ he added.
‘This is the only team you look at and think they’re a complete team. That’s the problem with everyone else.’
Bayern are currently top of Group A after three wins in three games and will clinch a spot in the knockout stages with a win at home over Galatasaray on Wednesday night.
Real are top of Group C and a win at home over Braga will also see them secure a berth in the Round of 16.
Harry Kane has made a superb start to life in Munich, scoring 17 goals in 14 games in all competitions so far
Jude Bellingham has been just as impressive in Madrid, netting 13 goals in 14 matches so far
City beat both Bayern and Real on their way to their first Champions League triumph last season.
The Premier League champions dispatched the Bavarians 4-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, winning the first leg at home 3-0.
Their semi-final win over Real was even more emphatic, with City thrashing the Spanish giants 4-0 at the Etihad after drawing the first leg 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Meanwhile, Guardiola warned City the job was not yet done despite clinching qualification to the knockout stages.
‘Two games left,’ he said.
‘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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