Owen Hargreaves believes Real Madrid will defeat Bayern Munich to advance to the UEFA Champions League final, stating that it will be more challenging for Bayern to win.

Owen Hargreaves, the former Bayern Munich player, has expressed his belief that Real Madrid will prove to be too strong for his old club in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg. The first leg ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena in Munich, leaving the tie finely balanced.

Despite Bayern’s trophyless domestic season, Hargreaves still thinks they have the ability to reach the final. However, he believes that facing the 14-time European champions at the Bernabeu will be an incredibly difficult task for the Bundesliga side.

Hargreaves highlighted the talent within Bayern’s team, including stars such as Manuel Neuer, Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, and Jamal Musiala, who have all risen to the occasion. He acknowledged that Bayern will be up for the challenge, but he has always considered the Bernabeu to be the toughest stadium to play at.

While Hargreaves believes Bayern could pull off a victory, he ultimately thinks that Real Madrid will have too much quality for them to handle.

Rio Ferdinand, on the other hand, emphasized the psychological advantage of playing the second leg in front of a home crowd, despite the abolition of the away goals rule. He suggested that Real Madrid would have been excited when they saw they had the second leg at home, as it allows them to control the atmosphere and generate confidence before a ball is even kicked.

Ferdinand, drawing from his experience at Manchester United, stated that playing the second leg at home gives a team a sense of ownership and a belief that they can secure victory. The home crowd and the atmosphere it creates can play a significant role in setting the tone of the game, whether it be through a tackle, pass, or shot at goal.

In conclusion, Hargreaves and Ferdinand have differing opinions on the outcome of the semi-final. Hargreaves believes Real Madrid will be too strong for Bayern, while Ferdinand sees the advantage of playing the second leg at home as a significant factor in Real Madrid’s favor.