Rio Ferdinand suggested Man City and Liverpool will have to be at full squad to stand a chance of progressing to the final in Paris
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former England defender, Rio Ferdinand, has predicted the two clubs that will progress to Paris to play in this year’s Champions League final.
Manchester City narrowly defeated Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, while fellow Premier League club, Liverpool progressed despite being held to a 3-3 draw by Benfica at Anfield.
Real Madrid also stopped holders Chelsea, who almost pulled a comeback after losing 3-1 at home in the first Leg, Villarreal progressed to the semi-finals after their giant-killing feat against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Premier League leaders Man City will now face La Liga giant, Real Madrid in the semi-final later this month, with Liverpool set to come up against Europa champions, Villarreal.
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Speaking after Man City edged out Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Ferdinand told BT Sport that The Citizens and Liverpool will progress to the final of the Champions League this season ahead of Villarreal and Real Madrid.
He said, “I think City will go through by two goals.
“I feel Liverpool are a well-oiled machine.
“They know how to get through these situations. They have been here time and time again in recent years. Liverpool have the experience, they have the firepower and they will be too strong for Villarreal over two legs.”
He, however, said the two Premier League teams will need to field their full squad for his prediction to come to pass.
“It will depend on how they get there. What shape is their squad in physically. We don’t know if Walker and De Bruyne will be fit. Are the Liverpool players all going to be fit like they are at the moment?
“How they both get there for that final game of the season would determine my thinking,” he added.
If his prediction becomes a reality, then two English teams will be playing the final of UCL back to back, after Chelsea played Man City last year.
