November 5th 2024.
According to Paul Scholes, there's one team in particular that could shake things up and potentially claim the Champions League title this season. As the competition transitions to a new league format, it's the Premier League clubs that have been showcasing their skills. Aston Villa and Liverpool have both secured three wins in their opening games, while Manchester City sits comfortably in third with two wins and a draw.
But the competition is heating up for the top eight spots, which would guarantee a spot in the knockout stages. Current champions Real Madrid have some catching up to do after suffering a surprising 1-0 defeat against Lille in their second game. However, it's their rivals Barcelona that Scholes believes could make some waves, especially after their impressive start to the season.
"I think Barcelona could be a dangerous team," the former Manchester United midfielder shared on The Overlap with Sky Bet. Under the guidance of new coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan giants have taken a commanding nine-point lead in La Liga, highlighted by their impressive 4-0 win over Real Madrid in El Classico last month. And despite a stumble in their opening Champions League match against Monaco, their recent 4-1 victory against Bayern Munich has proven their strength and determination.
"They've been off the radar for a while, but when I watched them against Bayern Munich, I was blown away," Scholes continued. "It's been a long time since I've seen that kind of performance from a Barcelona team. They may be a young squad, but they embody the classic Barca style."
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher has some concerns about Real Madrid's slow start to the season, but still believes they are the team to beat in the Champions League. "You just know that with this new format, Real Madrid will find a way to sneak through and then go on to win it all," he expressed. "They are a remarkable club."
Barcelona will be looking to continue their momentum on Wednesday as they face Red Star Belgrade in their next Champions League match. With their impressive run on the continent, they are definitely a team to watch out for in this year's competition.
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