Barcelona’s 21-year-old midfielder, Fermin Lopez, put on a show against Dortmund previous week. He has been an exciting wildcard for Flick this season. It’s been a season of star power dominance in the Catalan midfield, and Lopez brings something different and refreshing.
The Wild Card in Big UCL Games: Fermin Lopez
Fermin Lopez has been getting chances lately after Olmo’s injury. He once again put up a great performance against Dortmund, and I think he needs more recognition. Lopez operated with precise calculation, and his work ethic is phenomenal. I loved his decision-making in tight spaces. He knew when to press when to drop, and when to make the runs.
Against Dortmund, the La Masia star won two tackles and, more importantly, zero reckless challenges. He has become a fantastic addition in midfield for big UCL games, where Barca always required high-intensity and high work-rate players. This is also another reason why Diego Simeone has been a big fan of the La Masia star.
Fermin X Lewandowski: How it fixes a Major Attacking Problem
Fermin Lopez’s presence has had a significant effect on Lewandowski’s performance. This is because Lopez’s ability to disrupt defensive organization with his consistent runs in the box is remarkable. He constantly moves inside lines, forcing defenders to move towards him, which leaves gaps for players like Lewandowski.
Lewandowski is a player who needs space and time to shoot. With Fermin, he has been getting the time to take a shot, making him much more effective. Lewandowski’s double against Dortmund is a valid proof, and Fermin’s assist to Lewandowski is another reason that speaks volumes about the duo’s chemistry.
Transitioning from Work Horse to Playmaker?
Fermin Lopez is a midfielder known for his brilliant behind-runs, box-to-box gameplay, and off-the-ball movement. However, in recent games, he has also shown a rise in ball-playing performances.
In the last few games, Fermin has shown a better passing accuracy ratio, more long balls, and the ability to create chances in the final third. He now has 13 goal contributions this season, which proves the player can also create and score for Barca.