Renowned Bayern Munich figure Stefan Effenberg identifies Inter Milan as serious contenders for the Champions League title this season.

After reaching the final in the previous edition, where they faced Manchester City in Istanbul, Inter Milan, led by Simone Inzaghi, narrowly missed victory as they failed to score, with Rodri securing City's first European triumph with a 68th-minute winner.

Despite this setback, the Italian giants are gearing up for another shot at the trophy as they kick off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday with a Round of 16 first-leg clash against Atletico Madrid.

Effenberg acknowledges Real Madrid as the top favorite but places Inter Milan firmly in contention due to their hunger and formidable squad, emphasizing their desire to build on last season's achievements.

He stated in an interview with Kicker via FcInterNews, "The number one favorite is Real Madrid. However, I also have Inter on my radar. The Nerazzurri are hungry, they have a really strong squad and they want to confirm what they achieved last season. Then I put Manchester City and Bayern Munich."

Effenberg emphasizes the shift in modern football away from individual prowess towards the importance of collective strength, which he believes works in Inter Milan's favor.

He added, "I think that superstars are no longer as important as they were in the days of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The team that is a stronger collective has a bigger chance of winning. This is why I see Inter much further ahead."