FC Barcelona will next face arguably their biggest challenge yet in the UEFA Champions League. With a trip to Portugal and a clash against FC Porto up next, Xavi will want to make sure him and his team are fully equipped to face the upcoming challenges.
Alongside the challenges on the field come the decisions off of it. Tactical changes prior to the game are half of the battle that takes place on it. For Xavi, there remains the dilemma of whether he will be hoping to start with his standard three-midfielder formation or revert to his own iteration of a four-man midfield.
Backing of the manager
However, if he does end up going for the latter or perhaps even with three, there is one player who now looks primed to start in either scenario. 20-year-old Fermin Lopez has impressed at every chance that he has been given at Barcelona.
He has been highly efficient as well as effective for Barcelona, and even Xavi Hernandez seems to agree, as highlighted by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo:
“He (Fermin) is ready to play tomorrow.”
His chance to shine
With the backing of the coach now there, Fermin has all the qualities to perform with a chance to start. In what would potentially be his first full start of the season in the official campaign, the 20-year-old will truly get the opportunity to make his mark in the most prestigious of continental competitions.
Strong displays thus far
Thus far, the La Masia starlet has four total appearances for the Barcelona first team this season. However, most of these have been simply cameo appearances and his total playing time has thus amounted to only 162 minutes. He does have a goal to his name already in La Liga though, and certainly has the ability to add even more to his tally.
Porto will undoubtedly be a very complicated opponent for Barcelona. However, given the quality that they possess, including the talents of the determined Fermin Lopez, the Catalan giants should have enough in their arsenal to take the fight right to Porto in their Estadio de Dragao.
