UEFA Champions League 2017/18 - Feyenoord vs Manchester City Preview
When? Wednesday 13th September, 19:45 (UK)
Where? Stadion Feijenoord
What channel is it on? BT Sport ESPN
Are tickets still available? https://www.viagogo.co.uk/Sports-Tickets/Football/European-Premier-Leagues/Dutch-Premier-League/Feyenoord-Tickets/E-2355284
This is the first time that these two sides have gone head-to-head.
It is a return to the Champions League for Feyenoord this season. The 1970 European Cup winners have not appeared in the group stage of this competition since 2002/03.
Their last exploits in this competition would see them paired with English opposition in the shape of Bobby Robson’s Newcastle United in Group E – the most memorable game would be when Newcastle snatched a dramatic 3-2 win at De Kuip thanks to Craig Bellamy’s injury-time winner.
Since then, Feyenoord have suffered the heartbreak of being knocked out in the third qualifying round in both the 2012/13 and 2014/15 seasons.
Manchester City will be making their seventh straight appearance in this competition. Their best performance is a semi-final berth in the 2015/16 season, when they were knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid.
Manchester City scored 12 goals in the group stage last season – an average of 2.0 per game. In comparison, their defence was relatively generous as they also conceded 10 at the other end, an average of 1.6 goals per game.
Feyenoord have won 15 Dutch titles, including last season which enabled them to enter this season’s Champions League. Their 2016/17 domestic success was their first since the 1998/99 campaign.
