Former Real Madrid star claims team might not enjoy facing two clubs in the UCL | OneFootball

This week will mark the start of the new edition of the UEFA Champions League, with defending champions Real Madrid set to kickstart their campaign against VfB Stuttgart later tonight.

Having won the competition two times in the last three editors, Real Madrid are the undoubted favourites in this new edition of the UCL.

However, despite Real Madrid’s winning pedigree, former English striker Michael Owen has issued a warning to Los Blancos about facing two Premier League sides.

Michael Owen’s message to Real Madrid

Regarded as one of the best English strikers to grace the Premier League in the 21st century, Owen labelled Real Madrid as the favourites to win the Champions League this season.

“We would have to say that Real Madrid is the team to beat in the tournament,” he said (h/t SPORT).

However, the former striker explained that Real Madrid will be anxious about facing two Premier League clubs – Liverpool and Manchester City.

Owen believes Real Madrid might not want to face Liverpool and Man City this season (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“However, they won’t like playing Liverpool, nor will they like playing at Anfield. They won’t enjoy it if they have to play Manchester City either,” he pointed out.

Owen went on to explain how Real Madrid have not exactly dominated Manchester City in recent encounters, despite beating the English champions on a few occasions.

“Despite progressing from the round on a couple of occasions, they secretly know that when they have played against City they have not necessarily been the best team,” he added.

Talking about this edition of the Champions League, Owen said, “I think it will be a good tournament. I think City have been the best team in Europe in recent years.”

Owen even labelled Man City a better team whenever they faced Real Madrid, adding, “I continue to defend that when they played against Madrid, Guardiola’s team were a better team on certain occasions.”

However, the former striker concluded by highlighting how Real Madrid have always been able to grind out results. He also added that Real Madrid will grow stronger this season, having signed Kylian Mbappe in the summer.

“We have seen the results that Madrid have in this competition and now they have Mbappe, they are not getting worse, are they?” he concluded.