Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has predicted the outcome of the Champions League semifinal first-leg clashes between Barcelona and Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain versus Arsenal.
He also predicted that the final would be contested between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, with Arsenal and Inter Milan crashing out.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Hargreaves highlighted how PSG had performed well against Liverpool and Aston Villa.
He added that Barcelona had been on a different level altogether under former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick.
“Arsenal look ready this year, but if you look at it historically, it does take clubs steps [to win the Champions League]. Semifinals are still amazing, they could do it, definitely.
“But PSG have been in this spot a bit more recently. They’ve got guys who have just been doing it a fraction longer than Arsenal.
“Arsenal can win with less possession and playing counter-attacking football because they’ve got the best defence. But I think the final will be PSG vs Barcelona.
“That other game is a real clash of two styles. Inter Milan are cool without the ball, Barca have loads of the ball and that high line. Hansi Flick is the real deal by the way. Barcelona were a train wreck when he took over.”
PSG beat Premier League side Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in the quarterfinals to reach the semis, while Arsenal overcame fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid 5-1.
It ended 5-3 on aggregate in favour of Barcelona against Borussia Dortmund, while Serie A giants Inter Milan defeated Bayern Munich 4-3 in the quarterfinals.
