Feyenoord open their first UEFA Champions League campaign since 2024/25 as the big underdogs at Camp Nou, where FC Barcelona hope to kickstart a first victorious Champions League campaign since 2015.
After their 3-1 win over NEC Nijmegen last weekend, Van Bronckhorst made it clear what he wants to see from his team.
"We have to be fearless. This is a great challenge. I think we’re up against the best-playing team around at the moment," Van Bronckhorst said during Tuesday's press conference.
"When we have the ball, we need to show some nerve. But there will also be times when we’re pushed back. That’s inevitable."
The former Netherlands international returns to the stadium where he played between 2003 and 2007 and won five trophies as a Blaugrana, including the Champions League in 2005. Being back at Camp Nou brings back memories, he said.
"This was my dream club as a child and still is. It feels strange to be here as an opponent."
Van Bronckhorst took the time to highlight the importance of Lamine Yamal, who was officially revealed as a Ballon d'Or nominee on Tuesday.
"He’s a boy who’s already won a great deal at a young age. He’s become a world champion; he’s the sort of player people go to the stadium to see. In my view, he also has what it takes to win the Ballon d’Or – I reckon it’s just a matter of time. If he continues to develop in this way, he’ll be the next player in the running to win that award. He certainly has the potential.”
Asked who'll guard Lamine Yamal, Van Bronckhorst put the name of summer signing Mika Marmol forward: 'We signed Mika as a centre-back, but we knew he could also play at left-back. Lamine Yamal is perhaps the best player in the world right now. It’s important for us to get the ball to him in the best possible way, and that will be a great challenge for Mika."
Hadj Moussa back in the squad
The past week has been a controversy-filled one for Feyenoord. After top scorer Ayase Ueda left the club for Lille two days before the transfer deadline, star forward Anis Hadj Moussa was close to leaving the club for Saudi side Al Ittihad after the Dutch deadline had passed.
With the deal close to being done, Hadj Moussa was left out of the matchday squad after showing up late to a team meeting and the team bus. "He made a number of decisions that, in my view, were unacceptable," said Van Bronckhorst.
"That’s why I didn’t include him in the squad. We spoke on Sunday and put the matter behind us."
Hadj Moussa has spoken to the squad and to Van Bronckhorst, and the issues are now resolved, the manager revealed.
"We want to field the strongest possible team. He remains a player who can make the difference for us. For him, there’s no better match to let his feet do the talking."
Feyenoord kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against Barcelona on Wednesday, September 9th, at 18.45 CEST.
