Italy World Cup winner thinks Arsenal are Champions League underdogs | OneFootball

Italy World Cup winner Andrea Barzagli feels Arsenal are Champions League underdogs this season and insists Lazio ‘have a chance’ against Bayern Munich in the Round of 16.

The Champions League Round of 16 starts tonight with Manchester City visiting Copenhagen and RB Leipzig hosting Real Madrid.

The La Liga and Premier League giants are the most likely candidates to lift the trophy in May, according to ex-Juventus and Italy centre-back Barzagli a 2006 World Cup winner.

“They are the main favourites, at least on paper. Real Madrid know how to win and have amazing palmares,” he told Gazzetta.

“City are the defending champions, but winning the Champions League for two years in a row is never easy. It’s not a coincidence that only Real Madrid made it in the last few years.

“Don’t forget that the details are crucial in the Champions League,” continued Barzagli.

“The best teams do not always go through and there is a surprise team every season.”

So, who could be the underdogs in 2023-24?

“I think Arsenal have a very interesting team,” the former defender replied.

“They’ve been proving it for the last two seasons. Let’s see how they’ll play in the Round of 16. The draw and when you meet a certain opponent, count so much in the Champions League.”

The Gunners meet Porto in the Round of 16. The first leg will be played in Portugal on February 21.

Lazio meet Bayern on Wednesday and even if the Bavarians lost to Bayer Leverkusen this past weekend, they are still favourite to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“Bayern dominated their group, but that was two months ago. They are nervous after the weekend’s loss against Bayer Leverkusen, so Lazio can make the most of it,” noted Barzagli.

“Beware to clubs like them, because they are able to react immediately. Bayern are stronger, but Lazio still have a chance.”

Cagliari on Saturday and currently sit eighth in the Serie A table.