Rio Ferdinand draws Manchester City parallels with iconic Barcelona side after Real Madrid rout - 'When do they stop?'

Rio Ferdinand lavished Manchester City with praise after they cast aside Real Madrid 4-0 in their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Etihad. The result meant that City won 5-1 on aggregate and will face Inter Milan in the final on June 10 in Istanbul. Ad The level of control City were able to exert on the competition’s most fabled team left Ferdinand drawing comparisons to the Barcelona side Pep Guardiola managed between 2008 and 2012.

Champions LeagueMan City 'different to anything on this planet' says Owen, backs them for trebleAN HOUR AGO The former Manchester United defender was provided a close-up demonstration of that side’s greatness, losing against them in Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, and Ferdinand thinks City are on course to emulate their legacy. “It is the manner in which they did it,” said Ferdinand on BT's coverage of the semi-final. «Tactically, they dominated.

“And they had their foot on their throat and it was like they were just stamping on their throat. [They were] position[ing] them where they wanted them around the pitch. “And then bang, goals — clinical at the right time.

They were mesmeric — they took your breath away today and we were sitting in the studio going ‘how do you beat these guys?’ “I've played against a Pep Guardiola side which I think is the best club side ever in Barcelona — they had [Lionel] Messi and won the Champions League and they beat us. “City have got to win this title — maybe a couple of times — but they're on route to be classed alongside teams like that. Three back-to-back Premier Leagues, a potential treble and when do they stop?” 'I'm happy here' — Alonso rules out leaving Leverkusen amid Tottenham rumours Manchester City humble Real Madrid to make