Breaking News
Former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder, Joe Cole, has doubled down on his Champions League prediction, retaining his faith in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to take home the title despite their nail-biting quarter-final win against Aston Villa. "They’re all on the right path," Cole told TNT Sports, expressing his confidence in the French giants’ ability to finally claim the trophy that has eluded them for years. Meanwhile, Cole has ruled out Barcelona’s chances, citing their defensive frailties, which were on full display in their 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund, a game they managed to win 5-3 on aggregate. Despite the loss, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was satisfied with his team’s progression to the semi-finals.
Breaking: Cole Diggs In on Semi-final Picks, Rouses Doubts Over Barca’s Champions League Hopes
In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, football legend Joe Cole has doubled down on his prediction that Paris Saint-Germain will finally lift the UCL trophy this season, while casting serious doubts over Barcelona’s chances despite their impressive La Liga form.
PSG’s European Transformation
Cole, who has followed PSG’s journey closely, praised the French giants’ transformation from Ligue 1 champions to genuine UCL contenders. “We all remember the PSG side of a few years ago. They were winning league titles but you can’t win a tournament like this playing like that,” he said.
Cole credited PSG’s brains trust for their strategic shift, “Credit to the people at PSG who came together and said they were going in another direction. They’re all on the right path and I really, really fancy them to win it. I’m doubling down.”
Barcelona’s High Line Gambit
Meanwhile, Cole was less convinced by Barcelona’s prospects after they squeezed past Borussia Dortmund over two legs. “I think Barcelona showed enough frailties tonight. I don’t think they’ll have enough to win it,” Cole opined.
Cole singled out Barcelona’s high defensive line as a potential liability in the knockout rounds. “I think that high line against Munich or Inter Milan in the next round will get them in trouble… All the credit goes to Dortmund. From the Barcelona perspective, the frailties that I saw, I think they are frailties that are going to be here.”
Hansi Flick: Unshaken
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick remained undeterred, focusing on the goal at hand. “We are in the semi-finals… Two games were judged on this and we deserve to be in the next round,” he said post-match. “What the team has achieved in recent weeks is phenomenal. We’re now one step further, but we’re still a long way from the end.”
What’s Next?
Paris Saint-Germain will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semis, while Barcelona’s next assignment will be against Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.
FAQ
Q: Who is predicted to win the UCL according to Joe Cole?
A: Joe Cole is backing Paris Saint-Germain to win the UEFA Champions League.
Q: Can Barcelona win the UCL this season?
A: Joe Cole has raised doubts over Barcelona’s UCL prospects, despite their impressive domestic form.
Q: Which teams are through to the semi-finals?
A: Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Real Madrid have advanced to the semi-finals.
Did You Know?
Paris Saint-Germain haven’t lost a UCL game since their last-16 exit to Bayern Munich in 2020. They’ve been on a 15-game unbeaten run in the competition since then.
Pro Tip
Keep an eye on Arsenal’s clash with Real Madrid. The winner could be PSG’s key to progressing to the final, given Barcelona’s shaky defense.
Stay tuned to 247sports.new for more exclusive interviews and breaking football news! Don’t forget to engage with us in the comments section and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for real-time updates.