They can win it — Guardiola predicts team to win UCL trophy after embarrassing exit

Pep Guardiola has tipped Real Madrid as the favorites to win the Champions League after Manchester City's exit.

Despite a spirited performance, City fell short, losing 3-1 at the Bernabeu and 6-3 on aggregate.

Kylian Mbappe's stunning hat-trick sealed the deal for Los Blancos, leaving Guardiola to acknowledge that the best team won.

However, the City boss believes that other teams can still challenge Real Madrid's dominance.

"Of course, Madrid are a contender, definitely," he said. "But there are other good teams around. It will be an interesting Champions League season."

Guardiola named Liverpool, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain as teams that could run Real Madrid close.

"Liverpool are having a really good season up until now, Barcelona are amazing, Paris Saint-Germain, with my friend Luis [Enrique] in charge, are on the march."

City will now take stock of yet another low point in a poor season, and look to bounce back against Liverpool at the weekend.