23.12.2008 15:40
Lineker: “Barça are favourites for the Champions League”
David Carabén/Jaume Marcet
Gary Lineker is convinced that Barça is one of the favourites to win the Champions League. The ex-Barça striker thinks the current team “is very strong in defence and in attack”.
Linker played three seasons at Barça and has not forgotten his time at the club. He is now one of
the top pundits in English football.
Looking good
Lineker, who Terry Venables signed for Barça in 1986, has assessed the current team for Barça
TV. ”I see virtually all their games on TV and they’re looking good,” he said.
“They’re playing fantastically and are stronger in defence and attack than last season
when they already had some really good players.”
The Champions League
Lineker thinks that Lyon, Barça’s opponents in the last 16 of the Champions League,
“are a good side but there are worse ones you could get such as the English clubs, and I
reckon Barça will get through to the quarter-finals.”
As for the teams most likely to win the competition, Lineker has few doubts. “In
England we see Barça as being the big favourite,” he said. “Another team I quite fancy
is Manchester United.”
However, he also pointed out that in a knock-out tournament like the Champions League any
side can spring a surprise.