UCL: Alan Shearer names favourites to win trophy

Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer, has said Real Madrid are “without doubt” his favourites to win this year’s Champions League.

Los Blancos have qualified for the last 16, thanks to a 6-3 aggregate win over Manchester City in the playoffs.

The current holders won 3-2 at the Etihad, while a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick inspired a 3-1 win over at the Bernabeu.

Madrid started the competition in slow fashion, suffering three defeats from eight to finish 11th and outside of the automatic qualification spots.

But Carlo Ancelotti’s men sent out a clear statement of intent to the remaining teams with how they eliminated City.

“They’re looking very dangerous, Real Madrid, after having one or two poor results in the league games,” Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“Two performances against City, both home and away, which will send a huge warning out to the rest of Europe in terms of teams that are left in.

“They know it’s their competition, they know how well they do and they excel in it and they have to win it.”

When asked whether Real Madrid should be considered the favourites, Shearer replied: “Yeah, I would put them favourites, absolutely. Definitely.”

UCL: Alan Shearer names favourites to win trophy