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07th Mar 2023

Supercomputer predicts winner of Champions League

Callum Boyle

It never lies, honest…

The supercomputer is back once again and this time, it’s predicted who will go on to win the Champions League.

With the competition heading into the second leg of its round of 16 fixtures, teams are starting to flex their muscles as they bid to reach the final in Istanbul.

Real Madrid are the current holders and their 5-2 win against Liverpool a fortnight ago has many people believing that they will go on to retain their trophy.

But, according to the supercomputer, that won’t be the case.

A supercomputer posted to Reddit claims that Bayern Munich are the favourites to win the Champions League final, giving Julian Nagelsmann’s a 26 per cent chance of winning.

Behind Bayern is Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Despite coming close in 2021, Europe’s elite competition is the only trophy Guardiola has failed to win during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Madrid are still ranked one of the favourites, coming in at third place with a 14 per cent chance of winning a trophy.

Perhaps the most surprising entry is Napoli in at fourth, who supposedly have an 11 per cent chance of winning their first-ever Champions League.

Their duo of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen have set the Serie A alight this season and played a pivotal role during their 4-1 demolition of Liverpool in the group stages last year.

Favourites for the tournament, according to the supercomputer, Bayern face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday night.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead back to Bavaria with them, Bayern boss Nagelsmann is aware of the threat PSG pose.

“In the first leg they were without Kylian Mbappé at the start, which affected their match plan a little bit.

“When he came on, they started playing a different way. As I said, I expect it to be much more attacking and open than in Paris.

“Both we and PSG have enormous pace in attack. We want to get at them when they take possession and be physically present from the first minute. What we need in the second leg is to prevent them from using their pace.”

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