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Bayern can win Champions League, says Hargreaves

SoccerNews in Serie A 8 Apr 2013

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Owen Hargreaves believes his old side Bayern Munich have what it takes to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

The former England international spent 10 successful years in Munich before moving to the Premier League.

Hargreaves was an influential member of the Munich team who won the Champions League in 2001, prevailing 5-4 on penalties against Valencia.

And after two failed attempts in recent seasons, Hargreaves says Jupp Heynckes’ men, who take a 2-0 advantage into Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg against Juventus, are on track to claim their first European trophy in 12 years.

“I think with Barcelona they’re the favourites for the Champions League to win the UEFA Champions League,” Hargreaves said.

“In the last three seasons they’ve been in two finals and disappointing they haven’t managed to win one

“But they’ve played very good sides and were a bit unfortunate against Chelsea because they were the better side.

“Their development has been terrific, they seem to be growing and growing and getting better and better.

“They’ve great attack players, one of the best goalkeepers in the world and they’ve added a couple of centre backs this season which is probably what they needed most.”

Hargreaves also believes former club Manchester City must adapt their game better to European competition after failing to progress from the Champions League group stages for the second successive season.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint why they (Manchester City) haven’t played to the level they could have,” he added.

“The quality of players should suggest they should be in a quarter-final but they haven’t been able to find the balance and I just think in Europe they struggle to get the ball back from teams. They’re so attack minded and I think at times the other teams are so good in possession.

“Look at Dortmund who came to Etihad Stadium and absolutely dominated the game, which no team in the UK has been able to do and I think that was a bit of an eye opener to realise that there is a bit of a step up.

“I think they have the potential to do that but they’re going to have to adapt.”

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