'Pretty amazing' - Le Tissier picks Champions League winner ahead of draw as Man City look to bounce back
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Credit: Getty Images / Imago
Ben Palmer
Wed 27 August 2025 18:15, UK
PSG are the current holders of the Champions League after dismantling Inter in last year’s final but they will face a stern test from Real Madrid and Man City this year.
That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that whilst Pep Guardiola’s side were knocked down a peg last term, he expected them to be right back in the mix this season.
Man City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid after a 6-3 aggregate loss in the last 16 last term.
The Sky Blues only qualified for the knockout stage after a final-day win over Club Brugge during the league stage of the competition, and looked a far cry from the team that had lifted the trophy in 2023.
However, after some hefty investment this summer that included signing Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves, Rayan Cherki from Lyon, and Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, they are once again expected to be back to their best, or something close at least.
But Guardiola’s group will need to find a way of besting two of Europe’s powerhouses to have any chance of lifting the Champions League for the second time in their history.
Credit: Imago
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This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Le Tissier revealed that whilst he thinks City will do well, his favourites to win it all are PSG and Madrid.
He said: “PSG looked like a pretty amazing team back end of last season.
I think they’ll be there or thereabouts.
“But I think you can never write off Real Madrid in that competition.
Real Madrid CF vs Villarreal CF in Madrid, Spain – 05 Oct 2024 Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF warms up prior to the 2024/2025 La Liga EA Sports week 9 football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Final score: Real Madrid CF 2 : 0 Villarreal CF Madrid Spai…
“I think it’ll be between those two, Real Madrid or PSG [to win the Champions League].
“As for the English team that will go the furthest, I’d probably go for City.
“They probably did lose a little bit of motivation having won the Premier League four years on the spin and eventually winning the Champions League.
“But I think that motivation should be back at City again next year.”
Whilst he is in no danger of losing his job, Guardiola is playing to protect his reputation this season, Le Tissier told Football Insider previously.
The Catalonian boss has overseen two trophyless seasons during his time in Manchester, the first being his debut season, and the second being the 2024/25 campaign.
Credit: Imago
Arguably the greatest manager of all time, Guardiola has won every trophy there is to offer, but last season was an embarrassing one for the ex-Barcelona manager.
Winning a fourth Champions League crown will see him move one step closer to matching Carlo Ancelotti’s astonishing five trophies.