Blanc says Barcelona Champions League favourites

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BORDEAUX, France, Feb 26, 2010 (AFP) - Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc on Friday singled out Champions League holders Barcelona as the team to fear in European football's elite competition.

The defending champions only managed a 1-1 draw in their last 16 first leg at Stuttgart on Tuesday but the former Manchester United defender warned the Spanish side remain a force to be reckoned with.

"We're not seeing it at the moment because maybe they (Barcelona) are slightly below-par and have a lot of injuries," Blanc said.

"They keep 65 to 70 percent of possession and leave you with 30 percent. They don't always score from their (attacking) plays but this team is a machine."

"When they get all their injured players back, they will be the beast of the competition."

Blanc's Bordeaux side hold a slight advantage over Greek champions Olympiakos, having picked up a vital away goal in their 1-0 win in Athens on Tuesday.