Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has challenged his Eredivisie leaders to show how far they have come when going head-to-head with reigning champions PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.
Confidence at De Kuip is high following a 100 per cent start to the domestic campaign and Thursday night's 1-0 home win over Manchester United in their opening Europa League group match.
However, van Bronckhorst is all too aware of the challenge which awaits his men when they run out at the Philips Stadion this weekend.
"We have to be disciplined for the whole game and execute our tactical plan well, to show that we have made steps in this area," the Feyenoord manager said at a press conference.
"We have to play close to each other. The last few weeks we have been doing better and now we must do so again on Sunday, which will be necessary against an opponent of the size of PSV."
Van Bronckhorst added: "Obviously the players are tired, because the game against Manchester United took a lot of strength. We have two days to recover and prepare for the important match on Sunday. ''
Eindhoven, meanwhile, come into the high-profile Dutch domestic fixture on the back of a 1-0 home defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Head coach Phillip Cocu is confident his players can produce the required response against their Eredivisie rivals, whom they would replace at the top of the table with victory on Sunday.
"Feyenoord are doing very well, and I have already indicated at the beginning of the season that I expect them to compete with us and Ajax for the title," he said, quoted on the club's official website.
"On Sunday we can expect a match of a high level between two teams who on the field do not differ much.
"However, the confidence in ourselves is big. We have shown that we can compete with the Champions League finalist (Atletico) last year."
Ajax, who start the weekend's fixtures in third place, are also not in action until Sunday, when they travel to Heracles looking to build on their Europa League success away to Panathinaikos.
Den Haag could temporarily move above the Amsterdam side if they win at FC Twente on Saturday. Elsewhere, Roda host Heerenveen, Vitesse take on Go Ahead Eagles while Willem II play Excelsior.
Sunday's other matches see Sparta Rotterdam at home against NEC Nijmegen and AZ Alkmaar, currently fourth, head to bottom club Zwolle.
Source: PA-WIRE
