‘They’ve got everything’ – Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole back Paris Saint-Germain for historic Champions League glory
Published 06/04/2025 at 11:11 GMT+1
Paris Saint-Germain have yet to win the UEFA Champions League in any of its iterations, but Rio Ferdinand thinks that may change this year after he tipped the French side as his favourites for the competition. Ferdinand pointed to the manner of their victory over Liverpool in the previous round, and the way they are playing as a team so far this season.
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Rio Ferdinand named Paris Saint-Germain as his favourites for this season's UEFA Champions League and believes they have the players "to beat any team in the competition."
PSG knocked out Liverpool in the last round of the tournament in a thrilling contest that went to penalties.
They have a 21-point lead over their nearest challengers in Ligue 1 so can afford to focus almost all of their energies on attempting to lift the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Without Kylian Mbappe, the team have developed around new players - with Ousmane Dembele at his most consistent for many years, and other players also stepping up.
Speaking to TNT Sports, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand said the manner of PSG’s win over Liverpool convinced him they were now the frontrunners.
He said: "I think before a ball was kicked, I would have said Real Madrid, but seeing these knockout games, and the way PSG played Liverpool, and there was a big distance between the teams, especially in the first game, I’m going to go for PSG.
"It’s the first time I’ve looked at them seriously, and thought they’ve really, genuinely got the players, and the team, to beat any team in the competition. So I’m going to go for PSG."
In the same discussion, former Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Joe Cole picked out the PSG midfield of Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz as key to their win against Liverpool, and also backed the French team for the trophy.
He explained: "I think the telling thing in the Liverpool game was the midfield. Neves, Vitinha and Ruiz just completely dominated. Combine that with the front three, and the subs - [Desire] Doue coming off the bench, the young lad - they’ve got everything.
"I actually worried about the goalie. I just didn’t know if he was top, top, [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, but he’s come up with some big moments already, so I fancy PSG as well."
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PSG’s next opponents are another Premier League side, Aston Villa, with the first leg of the quarter-final clash at Parc des Princes on April 9 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
While Ferdinand picked PSG as his favourites, he still suggested that there was a way through for Villa.
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He added: "I think the thing you need to look at is where’s the second leg? It’s at Villa Park.
"If they stay in the game in the first leg, and the game’s live when they get to Villa Park, we know what the atmosphere can be like.
"We saw PSG go to Newcastle last season, with Mbappe, and get obliterated. The atmosphere can change everything. I don’t care who your club is."
When is Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa?
Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday, April 9.
Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+ starting from 19:00.
How to watch Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa will be live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate with coverage from 19:00 UK time on Wednesday, April 9 ahead of kick-off at 20:00.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
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