Spanish giants Real Madrid lost to Russian giants CSKA in Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium in the second game of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. Los Blancos earned a solid and convincing win against Italian Serie A giants AS Roma in the opening game but this time some key starters were not available.
Former Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute granted an interview as he drops is prediction for the winner of the UEFA Champions League this season. He had successful years in Seville notably the back to back Europa League trophies among the host of other accolades he won at the club.
"Honestly, I'm blessed with being able to choose which is the best moment, because there were so many.
"It's very difficult, I remember arriving in the 2005/06 season and from the first year on we started to win trophies. I would say the first UEFA Cup was amazing, finally I could put my hands on a major trophy."
the Copa del Rey final against Getafe in particular when I scored the only goal of the game. It was a great feeling because it was such a tense game.
"Just being there all those years with a fantastic group of players. The whole package at Sevilla was amazing, I loved everything about it."
He also had his say on Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric winning FIFA The Best award as he broke the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He deserves it yes, and the World Cup is really crucial for these kinds of awards. It's the biggest major tournament in the world so whoever does well in it has the privilege of putting his name on the individual trophy and Modric was unbelievable, amazing. I really like this player and think he has so much humility. He has improved a lot this year."
Madrid and Barcelona are on the same points on the top of the log and the ex-Tottenham forward choose the team that will perform well between the two top sides.
"Honestly I think Real Madrid will do well this season. We know they are two tough clubs and it's very difficult to say as it's the beginning of the season so many things will still happen. It's impossible to say."
"It will be interesting to see what happens without [Cristiano] Ronaldo as he was taking all of the spotlight before. Now they [Real] will need to adapt tactically and technically and it will be interesting to see how they do."
Sevilla are currently in the Europa League this season after a good turnout in the UEFA Champions League Last season. He said only one team can give his former side a run for their money in their favourite competition.
"Arsenal have an expert coach in winning the Europa League [Unai Emery] so it wouldn't be a big surprise if they did it. Chelsea are a big contender, a very, very strong team. Tottenham maybe yes, if they dropped down from Champions League."
The ex-Mali International was asked if Real Madrid can do it again by winning the UEFA Champions League for the fourth time in a row.
"I'm really bad at predictions [laughs]. Generally whatever I predict, the opposite will happen. But I do think maybe Real Madrid will do it again."

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