Wenger backs Barca to retain crown

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Barcelona to win the Champions League this season.

The French boss feels that the Catalans have the experience and individual class to go all the way, while the return of several injured players will also give coach Pep Guardiola a significant boost.

Real Madrid have also been tipped as one of the leading contenders to claim Europe’s top club prize, but Wenger believes that Barca have a player who will make the difference between the two arch-rivals.

“In my opinion, Barcelona are the big favourites to win the Champions League,” Wenger said in his blog on Eurosport.

“Firstly, they are high on confidence because they have already won the competition before.”

“Additionally, because they are now starting to recoup players who have been injured for quite a while.”

“Madrid might have Cristiano Ronaldo, but Barcelona have Messi, who is capable of scoring two goals even if he’s not in top form.”

Wenger then added that Barca boast another advantage over their rivals due to their superiority at Camp Nou.

“It’s very difficult to play in Barcelona without conceding a goal. They are very strong at home. Even when you play at home, you know that they will make a goal in the return because of their attacking potency. That’s a real psychological advantage for them.”

Barcelona lock horns with AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and will face either Chelsea or Benfica in the semi-finals if they eliminate the Serie A champions.