The 26/27 Champions League is almost upon us. Feyenoord are the visitors to the Spotify Camp Nou (kick-off 6.45pm CEST). The team from Rotterdam are coached by former blaugrana Gio van Bronckhorst, who has taken charge at Feyenoord after a season assisting Arne Slot at Liverpool.
The Dutch coach held a press conference at the Auditori 1899, where he was joined by Mika Mármol, who made his first-team debut for Barça in the 2021/22 season.
"Barça are one of the favourites to win the Champions League"
Gio was quite clear about the football Barça play: "They create a lot of chances. They might be the team playing the best at the moment", said the Feyenoord coach.
When also asked about Barça's chances of winning the Champions League, Gio said that "the time when Barça win the Champions League is growing closer". He went on to say that "they play football that everyone wants to watch. There is pace, quality and all done with the Barça DNA".
"It was a dream to play for Barça"
"I was here for four years and we won the club's second Champions League in 2006. It was a dream to come to Barça". That was Gio van Bronckhorst's response to the first question about returning to Barcelona and he went on to say that it feels "very nice and special".
"They have started very well"
Mika Mármol also gave his thoughts. The Catalan defender played over 70 times for the development side and went on to make his first-team debut. "They have started the season very well, they are always favourites to win the Champions league", explained Mármol.
"The key is to have a lot of help and remain focused throughout the match", responded the defender on being asked how to stop Lamine Yamal.
Feyenoord are unbeaten
This new Feyenoord team coached by Gio haven't lost any of their first five Eredivisie matches. The team from Rotterdam have three wins and two draws, and sit third in the Dutch league behind PSV and AZ Alkmaar.
"We have a set system, but we may use an extra defender compared to in the Eredivisie. The main thing is to be brave and know what to do in each moment", explained van Bronckhorst.