Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo believes that Man City are favourites to win the Champions League, with Inter Milan just after.
The Portuguese international spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews. He also looked back on his time as a Nerazzurri player.
The Champions League knockouts are now in full swing.
Among the widely-believed favourites for the competition, the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are already through to the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, this week sees some of the other heavy-hitters in action.
All of Inter, Barcelona, and Arsenal will have work to do if they’re to reach the next round.
Cancelo will have a unique perspective on the knockouts. The 29-year-old is under contract with City, but on loan with Barcelona.
Cancelo has also played for Inter as well as other top European sides like Benfica, Valencia, Juventus, and Bayern Munich in the past.
Joao Cancelo Names Man City As UCL Favourites – Followed By Inter
As far as what he expects from the round of sixteen second leg between Inter and Atletico Madrid, Cancelo anticipated “A very tough match.”
He called the Nerazzurri and the Colchoneros “Two similar teams in terms of the way that they play.”
“I’m expecting a very physical match between two great teams,” Cancelo said.
“Anything can happen, even though right now Inter keep winning and seem to have the Scudetto in their hands.”
“For me, Guardiola’s team are the favourites to win,” Cancelo said.
“Due to the squad they have, the way the play, and the coach.”
“They’re the only team to have won eight matches from eight in the Champions League,” the Portuguese noted.
“So they have everything to do it again.”
“But just after them, there is Inter,” Cancelo argued.
And of his time in Italian football, Cancelo said that “I know that a lot of Inter fans weren’t pleased with my move to Juventus.”
“And I’m sorry to them,” the 29-year-old added. “Because I made a lot of friends in Milan.”
