Feyenoord director looking forward to Barcelona challenge: ‘Our hands aren’t sweating ‘

Feyenoord director looking forward to Barcelona challenge: ‘Our hands aren’t sweating ‘ Barcelona have had a dream start to the season so far, with three back-to-back wins in LaLiga. They are eyeing a fourth consecutive victory as they take on Valencia this weekend. After that, the Catalans will test their mettle in the Champions League, with a home game against Feyenoord. Ahead of this interesting clash at Camp Nou, Feyenoord’s sporting director Devy Rigaux and coach Giovani Van Bronckhorst have spoken about the task awaiting them in Catalonia. Feyenoord excited ahead of Barcelona challenge Barcelona will take on Feyenoord on Wednesday. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Speaking to Dutch outlet Voetbal, Rigaux was asked whether the prospect of opening their Champions League campaign at Camp Nou against Barcelona made his hands sweat. “Well, no. Isn’t that what we want? We must ensure that our identity is recognisable on the field, with and without the ball, even against Barcelona,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo ). He went on to stress that the trip to Catalonia is about more than just the result. “Not only the players, but also the technical director, we want to be present in the elite. I remember that Feyenoord did not perform well in Europe last year, now we have to do things differently. “It’s not just about the result, it’s much more the performance,” he added. Van Bronckhorst cautious but prepared Van Bronckhorst has won the Champions League with Barcelona. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) Van Bronckhorst, who won the Champions League as a Barcelona player in 2006, acknowledged the challenges Feyenoord face heading into the fixture, particularly following the departure of top scorer Ayase Ueda to Lille. “We have to recognise this reality, and we are all doing it at the club, including the coaching staff and the players. I think it’s the only way to face it and move forward in a positive way,” he said. Rigaux summed up the club’s philosophy in one line. “You don’t buy a team, you build a team,” the sporting director said. Feyenoord have had a wobbly start to the season so far, but they have performed well away from home, notably securing three wins in three. The coach and the sporting director will hope the team can continue that momentum against Barcelona at Camp Nou this midweek.