Benitez: Liverpool favourites, but Inter and Conte are threats | OneFootball

The Champions League officially kicks off today with the draw in Monte Carlo, and who better than Rafa Benitez to map out the protagonists?

Benitez: "Liverpool is the favorite in the Champions League, but Inter is there. And Conte scares everyone"

The former coach of Liverpool, Inter, and Napoli, who has already lifted the cup with the big ears in 2005 in Istanbul, analyzes the forces in the field and the pitfalls of an increasingly unpredictable competition.

Liverpool in the front row, but watch out for surprises

"Liverpool, with the substantial investments this summer, is among the favorites - explains Benitez - but I would not underestimate Arsenal: with Gyokeres they have found the goals they were missing and could be the real surprise. Real Madrid remains a natural force, Bayern Munich has added Luis Diaz but loses Musiala for a long time, while Barcelona has consolidated an already strong team".

Inter remains among the greats, Napoli can scare

Benitez has no doubts about the value of the Italians: "Inter has shown continuity and remains one of the big ones. Napoli, with an extraordinary squad and the arrival of Hojlund, can become one of the hardest teams to face. Conte has a top-level midfield - Lobotka, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay - and is building a solid project. Atalanta has lost some pieces but remains a healthy environment; Juventus has quality but needs to be checked after a complicated season".

The new formula: more spectacle and more balance

Benitez appreciates the new format: "It's a real European Champions, with all the big ones together. Predictions easily jump: last year everyone saw Liverpool as the favorite, but the winner was PSG. This format enhances continuity".

The others to keep an eye on

The Spanish coach looks beyond the usual names: "Guardiola is transforming City, Lamine Yamal will be the star of the next decade, and Newcastle is now a solid reality. Simeone with Atletico, Maresca's world champion Chelsea, and Marcelino's Villarreal should not be forgotten".

The past that returns and the future that presses

Benitez also has words of esteem for Chivu's Parma, which has gone from fighting for survival to the Champions League: "A company with tradition and young people already ready at the European level. Sucic and Bonny have brought freshness and quality".

As for himself, Benitez observes with detachment but also with curiosity: "Studying tactical evolutions, seeing how players like Thuram and Lautaro will react, or following De Zerbi with Marseille: the Champions League remains a show that never ceases to amaze".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.