Benitez talks about Champions League: Inter Paris will remain the protagonist, Arsenal is the most likely surprise

Legend coach Benitez recently accepted an exclusive interview with the Milan Sports Daily and talked about a series of topics about the Champions League.

Benitez: The charm of this event doubled due to the excitement of last season. This is a real European league, with all the giants competing in the same game on the standings, and all predictions have been subverted after the group stage: most people think Liverpool will win the championship, but they were eliminated by Paris, who finally won the championship. If we carefully analyze the path to advancement, Inter Milan will undoubtedly show the most stable performance. What does the

lottery result indicate?

Benitez: Two points of confidence: Paris and Inter Milan will still be the protagonists, because that disappointing and almost surreal night did not weaken the value of the Nerazzurri; obviously did not weaken the value of the French team.

Paris has launched a new team-building concept and has made and continued to practice decisive decisions: first sending off Mbappe, and now dealing with the Donaruma incident; this young team full of potential has both the future and also shows beautiful football. Inter Milan maintains its original framework and injects fresh blood into the main lineup by introducing impressive young players.

The favorites to win the championship are never absent

Benitez: People always say: Those old faces are still the same. But each team has something unique to watch out for. At the same time, potential dark horses need to be considered. Liverpool, which has invested heavily, should occup themselves at the forefront; Real Madrid itself is a powerful existence, and it is necessary to observe the impact of Xavi Alonso.

Bayern speaks based on his historical background. This team that introduced Dias on its original strength will lose Musiara for a long time; Barcelona does not sign many players but has a strong foundation. The most likely surprise is Arsenal: Yorke's joining provides Arteta with the goal guarantee it lacked in the past.

Italy has missed the Champions League championship for 15 consecutive years: However, Juventus reached the final twice during his coaching in Allegri, and Inter Milan also entered the final twice under Inzaghi. These duels sometimes depend on strength, and sometimes they require luck.

Inter Milan is still a top-level team, and how Naples balances the league and European battles is worth paying attention to: its lineup is extremely strong. If Hoylund is successfully introduced, it will form an absolute strength rotation competition in each position and become an opponent that all teams do not want to encounter.

Atlanta has distinctive characteristics under Gasperini. Although the loss of Retge and Lukeman's future is uncertain, the club's environment is healthy and the management level is good at maintaining the system.

As for Juventus, we can reiterate past views: they have an unquestionable strong squad, and what they need is integrating the team and evaluating how some players can recover from past turbulent seasons.

Conte returns to the Champions League...

Benitez: Naples is returning to its own stage, just like the club has continued to show its competitiveness since it first entered the ranks of giants in 2010. In addition to the fluctuations last season, the team has remained stable for a long time, and this adjustment period has just corrected past mistakes.

The club that won the Serie A championship twice in three years is already a leader-level existence, and the efforts de Laurentis have made to achieve this position deserve recognition. Conte fully confirmed the outside world's perception of it: he has extraordinary midfield configurations Lobotka, Anguysa, De Bruyne and McTominay gathered, and is deeply integrating into the team building plan that is increasingly in line with his philosophy.

Which teams and highlights attract Benitez?

Benitez: Study Guardiola Manchester City in a transitional period; appreciate the growth of superstar Yamal in the next decade; observe how Turam and Lautaro turn losses into revenge; appreciate Dezelby's football philosophy coaching Marseille; and evaluate how far Newcastle, who has gained a foothold in the Premier League, can go.

But we can never underestimate Simeone's Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea, who just won the Club World Cup and introduced Joao Pedro, cannot be ignored. I also want to mention Villarreal, the team coached by my respected coach Marcellino has a pretty good lineup.

This is destined to be a long and exciting journey.

source:7m cn net