Former midfielder tips Barcelona as one of the favourites to win the Champions League | OneFootball

Former FC Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara has claimed that Hansi Flick’s men are ‘undoubtedly’ one of the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

Thiago, who retired from football last year, was briefly a part of the Blaugrana coaching staff under Flick during the summer.

Having gotten a close look at the squad and since watched how the team has played and evolved over the course of the season, Thiago believes that Barça have what it takes to lift the European trophy.

Speaking during his appearance at the Miami Beach Convention Center on the third day of the Motorola Razr Premier Padel P1, Thiago, who had been linked with a return to Flick’s staff, said:

“Barça are, without a doubt, one of the favourites to win the Champions League, the results prove it.”

Barcelona are in the quarter-finals of the UCL. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after having finished second in the league phase before breezing past SL Benfica in the Round of 16.

The La Liga leaders will take on Borussia Dortmund in the next round and in case they prevail, they could meet Inter Milan in the semi-finals – a potential replay of the legendary 2010 semi-final between Guardiola’s Barcelona and Mourinho’s Inter.

Talking about it, Thiago noted: “Yes, it’s a possibility. Inter will first have to face Bayern Munich and it won’t be easy. If it were to happen, I don’t think it would be a rematch as such.

“Too many things have changed: times, teams, protagonists. It would be nice if they met again, and I’m sure it would be a great match and a great spectacle.”

Source: SPORT