Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso relishing first trip to Nou Camp

Marcos Alonso’s first visit to the Nou Camp will be a memorable occasion for his family with the Spaniard’s father a former Barcelona great and his grandfather a Real Madrid legend.

Both likewise called Marcos, the Chelsea wing-back’s late grandfather was crowned a European champion five times with Real and his father spent five years at Barca.

‘It will be very special for me,’ Alonso said. ‘I played for Real Madrid many years and yet it is my first time in Nou Camp. Hopefully we will play our game.

‘We have to score a goal and so we have to go for it. We know we have to play the perfect game.

‘He (Alonso’s grandfather) used to say it was easy to play because he was a centre back, he just used to get the ball back and give it to [Alfredo] Di Stefano, [Francisco] Gento, [Ferenc] Puskas.

‘My grandmother has five replica cups at home. I grew up with football in my house. After playing my father used to coach, we used to follow him around Spain.

‘We used to travel with him to many cities. Twenty-four hours a day football was a topic at home. I’ve always loved to play the game.’

And why are they all called Marcos? ‘It’s something normal in Spain,’ Alonso said. ‘My mum would call “Marcos” and both of us would turn around.

The defender’s father was a former Barca great while his grandad was a Real Madrid legend