Gareth Bale thinks Barcelona and Bayern Munich are favourites for Champions League
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale reckons Catalan giants Barcelona and German champions Bayern Munich are front-runners to lift the UEFA champions league crown in Cardiff next June. The Welshman also underlined the fact that Real Madrid have to be at their very best to retain the most coveted prize in Europe.
The 27-year-old and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero were named as the global ambassadors of Nissan, one of the main sponsors of the prestigious competition. The renowned automobile manufacturer recently conducted an interview with the Real Madrid number 11 and Bale was asked who are the favourites to be crowned champions in the 25th edition of the UEFA Champions League.
“There are lots of amazing teams in the Champions League,” Bale said. “Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Juventus have done well in the last few seasons, so yeah, I think there are quite a few good teams in with a chance and that's why it's so difficult to win the trophy, but I hope that we can return to be the best side once again.”
The former Spurs player, when asked about the prospect of facing Atletico Madrid on the road to Cardiff, opined that Diego Simeone’s men are a tough side to break down. “They are a very difficult team to beat,” the Welshman said.
“They are very well organised defensively and yes, they're very difficult to beat. We've fought against them in two finals and managed to win the trophy. But yeah, they've shown that they are a good side and a difficult one to beat - together with a lot of other teams. So it will be difficult for us again if we meet them this time around.”
Real’s final hurdle in their last two European triumphs was to overcome the challenge of their city rivals and Bale was more than instrumental in Real Madrid’s success. The reigning European champions are gunning for their 12th European crown this season and are one of the strong contenders to lift the trophy.
Los Blancos go head to head with Borussia Dortmund in their final group game and the outcome of that would decide who tops the group. However, Real would have to do without the services of Bale who recently underwent surgery.
The Welshman had dislocated the peroneal tendons in his right ankle during Real’s clash with Sporting Lisbon in the last round of matches in the Champions league. He will miss Real’s FIFA Club World Cup venture in Japan and he is expected to return only by April.