Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland were among the goalscorers in Man City’s win over Copenhagen (Photo: Getty)
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to win the Champions League – but there is a very small chance they could be stopped.
City advanced to the quarter-final stage of the UCL on Wednesday night after beating FC Copenhagen 3-1 at the Etihad (6-2 on aggregate).
Goals from Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, all within the first-half, secured their place in the last eight.
They’ll be joined by Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG, as well as the winners of the remaining last 16 ties, which could include the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan.
But the Citizens remain favourites to defend their crown, and Ferdinand believes no one can stop them from reaching the final which will take place at Wembley on 1st June.
There is a chance that they may be toppled in the final however, but only if their opposition have some ‘stardust’ to hand.
‘I just don’t see anybody beating them over two legs. Then it depends on who gets in the final,’ the Manchester United legend told TNT Sports post-match.
Man City are near-unstoppable according to Rio Ferdinand (Photo: Getty)
‘Whoever they are playing against in the final needs that stardust from one or two players who can turn a game on its head, then they have an opportunity, a chance.
‘But City, I think they are standout favourites. They are a level above.’
Aside from Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018, no club has successful defended their crown since the Champions League was rebranded in the 1992/93 season.
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City are of course looking to defend their treble and face two huge games over the next week which could decide their fate.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Premier League title rivals Liverpool on Sunday, before hosting Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals next Saturday.
But City have lost just four games across all competitions so far this season, all of which away from home – at Arsenal, Wolves and Aston Villa in the Premier League and at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
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