Valery Masalitin, a former CSKA Moscow standout, weighed in on which clubs could be seen as the favorites in this season’s Champions League. His take reflects a cautious optimism about the big names, while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of European football.
According to Masalitin, Manchester City is likely to win the group stage and move forward, but he also stresses that the sport loves a twist. The German challengers are not to be underestimated, and they can surprise a favored side at any moment. Napoli showed quality in recent outings, yet their run ended sooner than expected, while Bayern Munich delivered solid performances—even as reports around their domestic form raised questions. In Masalitin’s view, the field remains balanced, and the outcome will hinge on endurance and November/April fixtures that test squad depth. He noted that the top contenders could narrow down as the quarterfinals approach, and only then should the term “favorites” be assigned with greater confidence (Masalitin, socialbites.ca).
Real Madrid reached the semi-finals after a decisive two-leg victory against Chelsea, sealing a 2:0 win on aggregate. With the second leg completed on the agreed date, Manchester City prepared for their upcoming clash against Bayern, following a dominant 3:0 result in the first leg. The status of City and Real Madrid as the team to watch continues to shape expectations for supporters across Europe and North America alike (Masalitin, socialbites.ca).
Earlier in the competition, Moscow’s Spartak and St. Petersburg’s Zenit were among the clubs discussed by analysts like Maxim Demenko, who offered thoughts on a potential Real Madrid vs. Manchester City matchup in the tournament. The discussion highlighted the depth of talent across the leading sides and the way strategic decisions, roster management, and late-season form can define outcomes in the knockout rounds.