Didi Hamann has warned Chelsea and Liverpool that they must beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League title. He believes Der FCB have proven they are now the favourites.
Bayern Munich captivated Hamann with their comfortable win over Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 this week. The Bundesliga powerhouse dismantled the Ligue 1 giants 2-0 on the night for a 3-0 aggregate win. A VAR call and an offside flag also denied Der FCB two goals.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side made light work of Christophe Galtier’s squad in Bavaria as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe struggled. Matthijs de Ligt also saved goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s blushes when Achraf Hakimi caught him on the ball to leave Vitinha left with an open goal.
Hamann sees Bayern Munich as the favourites over Chelsea or Liverpool
Bayern Munich impressed Hamann greatly with their commanding performance for the ex-Liverpool midfielder to deem Der FCB as the favourites for the Champions League title. The Anfield natives are still to play the second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid.
“You can hardly play better than Bayern [did] in the Round of 16 against PSG,” he wrote in his Sky Germany column. “The way Bayern defended at the back and controlled the game overall was really good.”
Hamann also added: “For me, Bayern are one of the favourites for the title – if not the top favourite. If you want to win the Champions League this year, you have to beat Bayern.”
Liverpool travel to the reigning Champions League title-holders Real Madrid for the second leg of their Round of 16 tie next Wednesday. Los Blancos won 5-2 at Anfield in the first leg after coming from 2-0 behind. It was also a repeat of the 2021/22 final which they won 1-0.
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Which teams are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League?
Bayern Munich booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by beating Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday. Der FCB have now made the final eight in each of the past three seasons. But the 2019/20 champions have not gone further since their last title.
Chelsea are also already through to the quarter-finals after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate. BVB had pipped the Blues 1-0 in the first leg with a great solo goal by Karim Adeyemi. But Raheem Sterling and a controversial penalty by Kai Havertz flipped the script.
Benfica joined Chelsea in the final eight after dismantling Club Brugge 7-1 on aggregate, as well. While AC Milan held onto a 1-0 lead from the first leg to boot Tottenham Hotspur out of Europe. Brahim Diaz’s strike at San Siro proved the difference with a goalless second leg.
Inter Milan can follow their Serie A rivals into the quarter-finals as the Nerazzurri lead 1-0 against Porto. Napoli can also see three Italian teams progress as the Scudetto leaders are 2-0 up against Eintracht Frankfurt. Manchester City and RB Leipzig drew 1-1 in the first leg.
Liverpool coming from 5-2 behind to eliminate Real Madrid would likely see Jurgen Klopp’s side join Bayern Munich amongst the favourites to win the Champions League title in June. While UEFA will hold the draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals together on March 17.
In other news, ‘Big performances’: Ex-Arsenal striker praises Tottenham’s Oliver Skipp
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