Rio Ferdinand has named Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as the primary contenders standing between Manchester City and their quest for a second consecutive Champions League victory.
Manchester City demonstrated their dominance by comfortably defeating Young Boys 3-0, securing their place in the knockout stages. The victory was fueled by goals from Phil Foden and a brace from Erling Haaland.
Having qualified for the knockout stages for the 11th consecutive season, City needs only a draw against RB Leipzig to secure the top spot in Group G.
Ferdinand pointed out that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the only two clubs, alongside City, to maintain a perfect record in the Champions League. However, he emphasized City’s superiority, stating, “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.”
Last season, City defeated both Bayern and Real on their path to winning the Champions League. They dispatched Bayern 4-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and convincingly beat Real with a 4-0 win in the semi-finals.
While Bayern currently leads Group A with three wins in three games and Real tops Group C, Guardiola remains cautious, he stated, “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 the second game at home rather than away.”