As FC Barcelona tackle Feyenoord tomorrow within the UEFA Champions League, they will come up against two familiar faces.
Certainly, the Dutch giants are managed by ex-Barça defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst, whereas former La Masia defender Mika Marmol is part of their squad.
Since leaving Barcelona in 2022, the defender had spells with Andorra and Las Palmas, earlier than the 25-year-old joined Feyenoord this summer season.
Excited to face Barcelona
Marmol made one first-team look for the Catalan membership. And he’ll make his Champions League debut on Wednesday in a particular setting, again on the Spotify Camp Nou.
“I’m very joyful to be again right here. I believe making your debut on this competitors is particular in itself, and much more so when it occurs on the membership the place I used to be developed,” Marmol stated, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“My household and buddies can be within the stadium,” he added.
The 25-year-old defender, who can play at centre-back and left-back, could possibly be tasked with defending towards fellow La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal.
Nonetheless, the defender insists Feyenoord can not turn into obsessive about Barcelona’s teenage famous person.
“It will be a mistake to focus solely on Lamine. We all know the potential Barcelona have going ahead. Now we have to be a staff, keep collectively, assist one another all through the match and stay concentrated,” he defined.
Marmol comfy at left-back
Marmol is anticipated to begin at left-back, regardless of centre-back being his pure place.
The swap is nothing new for the defender, who has expertise taking part in on the flank relationship again to his time at La Masia.
“It doesn’t change something as a result of I performed at full-back at La Masia. I can adapt completely effectively and I really feel very comfy there,” Marmol stated.
He’ll come up towards a Barcelona aspect he considers one of many main contenders for European glory.
“They’re at all times one of many favourites to win this competitors. It has at all times been a membership that believes in its academy, and that’s being demonstrated by the gamers coming by,” he stated.
Marmol believes his expertise of taking part in alongside a few of Barcelona’s present gamers may give him a bonus tomorrow.
“Figuring out the gamers extra intently means I do know the actions they will make. That helps and it’s necessary,” he defined.
