29/08/2022【Feature】Hierro: Real Madrid favourites to defend UCL title

Fernando Hierro - UCL
Fernando Hierro is the best defender in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football. He played for Real Madrid in 14 years and won 17 titles which included 3 UCL and 5 La Liga. In addition to those club triumphs, he also appeared in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2018 World Cup, and 1996 and 2000 Euro Championship for Spain.

Real Madrid favourites to defend UCL title
The Champions League is back and, as ever, I expect a number of the top sides in Europe to battle it out to be crowned kings of the continent.
Real Madrid, who I won the competition with three times, will target an incredible 15th title, while Barcelona also look strong. Elsewhere, the Premier League sides are obvious candidates, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain leading the challenge from Germany and France.

Spanish giants to be contenders
For me, Real Madrid are always the favourites in every competition they take part in. After their famous comebacks against Paris Saint German, Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as the win over Liverpool in the final, they were deserved champions once more last year.
It just shows, without a doubt, there is a special relationship between my former side and the Champions League, and I can’t imagine anyone being too surprised if they win it yet again.
Their big rivals Barcelona have reinforced well in recent months and look like they have a great squad again. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha Dias Belloli are among the big-name signings and I think it’s very possible they can fight for the title once more.

Bayern and PSG to challenge
Barcelona’s new striker Robert Lewandowski will play against his former club Bayern Munich in the group stage which will be an intriguing contest. 
I’m sure the Germans will find him hard to replace because of the incredible number of goals he scored, but Sadio Mane is also an extraordinary player so I have no doubt he will shine, too. They remain one of the top sides, and history shows they are capable of winning the competition.
Paris Saint Germain may have yet to lift the trophy but they have aspirations of winning the Champions League. Everyone knows it’s their big dream and I see them as a great threat. Of course, Kylian Mbappe will be in the spotlight – he’s their star player and, for me, someone who can be on top of the football world in the coming years.

Premier League duo look strong
The teams from the Premier League are playing at a very high level currently, with their financial strength making a huge difference.
Liverpool are always such a wonderful team to watch and in Mohamed Salah they have a player I consider one of the world’s best. Yes, the loss of Sadio Mane is important, but with Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino Barbosa – in addition to Mohamed Salah – they have so much offensive power and will be a candidate for the title.
As for Manchester City, we all know Pep Guardiola’s a top-level coach who constantly reinvents himself. Do I think he can break his Champions League curse since leaving Barcelona? Yes, because I see a team that has progressed a lot, that often wins the Premier League and that always reaches the semi-final or final of the Champions League, so I’m sure they’ll make the latter stages again.