Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has backed Paris Saint-Germain to go one step further than they managed in Europe last campaign and finally end their wait for Champions League glory under Mauricio Pochettino.
The French side have had an inconsistent domestic season this term but in Europe they have proven themselves to be a force to reckon with, knocking out Barcelona and holders Bayern to reach the last four of the competition.
Pochettino’s side will face Manchester City for the sides’ much-anticipated semi-final first leg on Wednesday and their opponents will be buoyed by their recent Carabao Cup win over Spurs.
But Ferdinand is confident PSG have the ‘experience’ and the attacking talent to beat Man City and go all the way after learning from their mistakes in recent years.
‘I think Paris Saint-Germain will win it,’ the defender predicted on his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel. ‘They have the experience of last season, two strikers, the business end of the season they know what it’s about now.
‘They’ve been here together, they’re not fazed and I think they’ll have the experience. Pochettino comes up smelling of roses after a turbulent couple of years.
‘I don’t think they’ll care [if he doesn’t win the league]. If he wins the Champions League then he’s outdone everyone because that’s what they are here for.
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‘Don’t forget, he’s only come in halfway through the season. His fingerprints ain’t all over that league.’
Ferdinand feels Pochettino will acquire a near legendary status at the club should he lead PSG to the Champions League title, regardless of where they finish in Ligue 1.
‘He might get treated like Roberto Di Matteo: win the Champions League and then gets told to do one,’ he added. ‘You never know, we’ll see.
‘But my guess is that if he wins the Champions League they’re giving him a statue outside that place almost.’
