Jerome Boateng: 'Manchester City among Europe's elite'

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has declared that former club Manchester City have a squad that compares to the best in Europe ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League clash.

Boateng spent an unsuccessful season with City in 2010-11, playing just 16 times in the Premier League before returning to Germany with Bayern.

The 25-year-old believes that facing City at the Etihad will provide Pep Guardiola's men with the type of test they relish, backing his side to claim all three points.

He told the Bundesliga's official website: "Looking at the squad, they certainly are one of the best teams in Europe.

"We need and want those games, and we also want to take all three points home from Manchester, because we have the quality to do so."

Under Guardiola the Champions League holders are unbeaten in nine matches, taking 19 points from a possible 21 in the Bundesliga.