Feyenoord defender Mika Marmol: ‘Barcelona are always favourites to win the Champions League’ | OneFootball

As FC Barcelona take on Feyenoord tomorrow in the UEFA Champions League, they will come up against two familiar faces.

Indeed, the Dutch giants are managed by ex-Barça defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst, while former La Masia defender Mika Marmol is a part of their squad.

Since leaving Barcelona in 2022, the defender had spells with Andorra and Las Palmas, before the 25-year-old joined Feyenoord this summer.

Excited to face Barcelona

Marmol made one first-team appearance for the Catalan club. And he will make his Champions League debut on Wednesday in a special setting, back at the Spotify Camp Nou.

“I’m very happy to be back here. I think making your debut in this competition is special in itself, and even more so when it happens at the club where I was developed,” Marmol said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“My family and friends will be in the stadium,” he added.

Mika Marmol returns home. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The 25-year-old defender, who can play at centre-back and left-back, could be tasked with defending against fellow La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal.

However, the defender insists Feyenoord cannot become obsessed with Barcelona’s teenage superstar.

“It would be a mistake to focus only on Lamine. We know the potential Barcelona have going forward. We have to be a team, stay together, help each other throughout the match and remain concentrated,” he explained.

Marmol comfortable at left-back

Marmol is expected to start at left-back, despite centre-back being his natural position.

The switch is nothing new for the defender, who has experience playing on the flank dating back to his time at La Masia.

“It doesn’t change anything because I played at full-back at La Masia. I can adapt perfectly well and I feel very comfortable there,” Marmol said.

Marmol could come up against Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

He will come up against a Barcelona side he considers one of the leading contenders for European glory.

“They’re always one of the favourites to win this competition. It has always been a club that believes in its academy, and that’s being demonstrated by the players coming through,” he said.

Marmol believes his experience of playing alongside some of Barcelona’s current players could give him an advantage tomorrow.

“Knowing the players more closely means I know the movements they can make. That helps and it’s important,” he explained.