Champions League football is back at De Kuip on Wednesday as group F begins with Feyenoord hosting Manchester City.

Feyenoord haven’t featured in the Champions League group stages since the 2002/03 season, but after winning the Eredivisie last season, Giovanni van Bronckhorst are back among the European elite in a group that contains Manchester City, Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk.

First up for Feyenoord is a home tie against Premier League money bags Manchester City, who finished third in the league last season. The Rotterdammers go into the game full of confidence having won all four of their league games so far this campaign, but Pep Guardiola’s star studded side will pose the toughest test they have faced so far.

The Citizens hammered Liverpool 5-0 at the weekend and currently sit second in the Premier League without a defeat.

Speaking at his pre-game press conference, Van Bronckhorst stated Manchester City are one of the clubs that can win the Champions League this season, but thinks his side have the ability to shock them, “The match with City will be a big challenge for us, a club that can win the Champions League this year. But we have often defeated big teams.”

Feyenoord have never faced Manchester City but only need to look back to last season for inspiration with a single Tonny Vilhena goal giving them a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League group stages. That game took place exactly one year ago this week. A good omen?

Team news

Van Bronckhorst suffered a big blow in the win over Heracles at the weekend with Nicolai Jorgensen taken off with a hamstring injury and the Danish striker is unavailable for the game. Michiel Kramer should take his place up front.

Eric Botteghin was rested at the weekend but should come back into the line-up, while Ridgeciano Haps is not fit enough, meaning Miquel Nelom will continue at left-back.

Feyenoord are expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation tomorrow night.

Possible Feyenoord line-up: Jones, Diks, Nelom, Botteghin, Van der Heijden, St Juste, El Ahmadi, Vilhena, Toornstra, Berghuis, Kramer

Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure will both be missing for Manchester City, but goalkeeper Ederson is available despite a nasty face injury suffered at the weekend.

Pep Guardiola has a squad full of stars to pick from but is expected to line-up with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Brazilian whizz-kid Gabriel Jesus through the middle.

Possible Manchester City line-up: Bravo, Walker, Mendy, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo, Fernandinho, B.Silva, Sane, De Bruyne, Jesus

Odds

Feyenoord 8/1 Draw 4/1 Manchester City 2/5

Feyenoord in the Champions League

Feyenoord have played 83 times in the Champions League/European cup, lifting the trophy in 1970. Out of the 83 matches, Feyenoord have won 33 times, lost 27 and drawn 23.

Their last appearance in the Champions League group stage in 2002/03 saw them finish bottom of a group containing Juventus, Newcastle United and Dynamo Kiev.

Feyenoord have failed to make it through the group stages in their last four appearances in the Champions League.

Podcast

Listen to our podcast ahead of the tie tomorrow as the Football-Oranje team give their predictions on the game, while we also welcome a special guest from Manchester.

Want More? Check out the video below to learn more about Feyenoord




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