Luis Figo reveals his ‘favourites’ to win Champions League ahead of Arsenal vs PSG

Luis Figo fancies PSG to defeat Arsenal and win this year’s Champions League

Luis Figo has picked out Paris Saint-Germain as his favourites to go all the way in this season’s Champions League.

Luis Enrique said he wanted to change PSG’s DNA when he took over the reins from Christophe Galtier in 2023 and there has been a marked shift in ethos since the Spaniard took charge at the Parc des Princes.

Long associated with big egos and galactico signings, the French champions have played with far greater control and togetherness than previous iterations which boasted some of the all-time greats.

After seeing off six-time winners Liverpool in the last 16, though, PSG suffered an almighty scare against Aston Villa, with Unai Emery’s men mounting a spirited fightback in a pulsating quarter-final second leg.

But Enrique’s side clung on to secure their spot in the last four, where they will do battle with Arsenal, who knocked out the holders, Real Madrid, in comprehensive fashion.

It promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams that are still yet to break their duck in the competition. The winner will face off against one of Barcelona or Inter Milan in this year’s final in Munich.

Former Real Madrid and Barca star Figo believes it’s fairly evenly matched between the four clubs in the tussle for Europe’s most coveted prize this season.

The French champions overcame Aston Villa to reach the last four (Picture: Getty) Arsenal stand between PSG and this year’s final (Picture: Getty)

But pushed to name his favourites to win the Champions League, the 2000 Ballon d’Or winner replied: ‘In my view, PSG.

‘They have a good consistency of results and excellent physical fitness at the moment.

‘It’s difficult to say for certain, I don’t feel that I can make a really strong prediction on who will win the Champions League.’

Two of Figo’s former clubs, Inter Milan and Barcelona, face off in the other semi-final – and the Portuguese icon feels it would be a ‘big mistake’ to downplay the Italian giants’ chances.

‘They are two teams with very different styles,’ Figo said while previewing’s Inter’s semi-final clash with Barcelona.

‘However, anyone who thinks that Inter are only about defending is making a big mistake.

Inter eliminated Bayern to secure a semi-final spot (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s true Simone Inzaghi’s side are solid in defence and conceded very few Champions League goals, but they also have players capable of making the difference.

‘You need to analyse it more carefully, not just limit yourself to saying they are just a defensive team. ‘Inter could win the treble this season.’

Pressed on whether Barcelona could also be on for a treble, Figo responded: ‘Well, it’s a possibility, right?’

Victory over Arsenal would see PSG reach the Champions League final for only the second time in their history.

PSG’s first appearance in the final came in 2020, but the club – then managed by Thomas Tuchel – were defeated by Bayern Munich at the last, with Kingsley Coman scoring the only goal in Lisbon.

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