Tuesday 12 September 2017 22:39, UK
Feyenoord boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes Wednesday’s Champions League opponents Manchester City are good enough to win the competition.
Pep Guardiola's side visit De Kuip this week to face the Dutch champions in their opening Group F clash and Van Bronckhorst has hailed them as "one of the best teams in Europe".
The former Rangers and Arsenal player, who won the Champions League with Barcelona, also believes City can go all the way in this season's competition.
"They have had a good start to the season, they are a big club with a good coach and great players," he said.
"I have seen a couple of matches and they are one of the best teams in Europe. It is a big task for us but a big opportunity for us to get a result.
"If you have a squad like Man City have, players with a lot of qualities and experience - for me it is one of the teams that can win the actual Champions League.
"It is a big task but we are a good team, a good collective, especially in our own stadium."
Van Bronckhorst also said he was disappointed that Crystal Palace felt unable to give fellow Dutchman Frank de Boer the time Feyenoord were prepared to give him after he recovered from a poor start to lead his side to their first Eredivisie title in 18 years last season.
De Boer was axed just four games into the Premier League season on Monday.
"I am very disappointed he got the sack. As a coach you need time and trust from the board to develop your team," Van Bronckhost said.
"With Feyenoord I was in a similar situation, losing a lot of games, but the board gave me the confidence to proceed."
