Pundit claims ‘under the radar’ Champions League threat could challenge Man City for glory, as Liverpool rated
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich could well challenge the English favourites Manchester City for this season’s Champions League, one pundit believes.
The draw for this term’s edition of Europe’s top competition took place in Istanbul on Thursday. There is a return to Borussia Dortmund for Erling Haaland following his big-money move to the Etihad Stadium.
City also face Sevilla and FC Copenhagen in Group G. Meanwhile, Liverpool will meet again with familiar opponents Napoli and Ajax. There is also a ‘Battle of Britain’ to look forward to involving Rangers in Group A.
Tottenham, upon their return to Europe’s top table, have drawn Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt in Group D.
And Chelsea face Serie A champions AC Milan in their headline tie of Group E.
Reacting to the draw, former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward Steve McManaman claimed that he cannot look past Pep Guardiola’s City to end their Champions League hoodoo.
“There are so many teams that can go all the way,” McManaman told BT Sport. “You saw last year with Real Madrid that they went all the way and at times that we thought they were out.
“It is going to be close, but I do believe Manchester City with Haaland now is a different animal in Europe.
“City normally have possession and I think in some games this season they may approach it differently and let other teams have the ball because he is so dangerous on the break.
“I think they might change their tactics slightly, but out of all the British teams in Europe, City have got the best chance of winning.”
Champions League dark horses named
McManaman insisted that all four English teams have an “excellent chance” because they have “improved from last year”.
But he added that Bayern Munich – fresh from signing Sadio Mane and Matthijs de Ligt – have also “improved a lot”.
He then named PSG as a team that have gone “under the radar” so far under new manager Christophe Galtier.
The French giants collapsed once again in the knock-out stages last season, this time losing a two-goal cushion to Real Madrid.
“I think it will be very close and I think PSG could have a really good chance this year,” McManaman said.
“With a new manager, they are going under the radar, they have invested well, they have a better balance and I think you have to look at them as well.”
All four Prem sides fancy their chances
The first job is to advance out of the group, let alone making it all the way to the final.
The six matchdays will play out over nine weeks this season – instead of the usual 12 – because of the World Cup.
The packed schedule will therefore present new challenges to teams used to having breaks between European duties.
All four English sides will fancy their chances of making it through, but the first job is navigating a tough set of fixtures.