Barcelona star becomes indispensable for Flick as he equals career-best scoring tally | OneFootball

Fermin Lopez may not always start, but his impact on Barcelona’s season has been undeniable. 

The academy graduate has embraced his role under Hansi Flick, fully aware that whether he begins on the bench or in the XI, his minutes will come and when they do, he makes them count.

Against Levante, Fermin started as a substitute. Yet from the moment he entered the pitch in the second half, his intent was obvious. 

This campaign has turned into a breakthrough year. Time and again, he has been the player who unlocks tight matches. 

When Barcelona struggle to find solutions, Fermin often provides them. His goal against Levante was his 11th of the season, which is a milestone that places him among six Barcelona first-team players to reach double figures. 

His 11 goals already match his best return in a single campaign and there are still months remaining. 

Indispensable for Flick

Fermin Lopez is in red-hot form. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

According to SPORT, Flick considers him indispensable. 

In fact, the manager has encouraged him to shoot more from distance, recognising the power he possesses in both feet. 

Interestingly, the numbers support that trust. Of his 11 goals this season, six have come with his left foot and five with his right. Three of them, 27%, were scored from outside the penalty area. 

Over his Barcelona first-team career, Fermin has netted 30 official goals – 12 with his left (40%), 14 with his right (46%), and four with his head (14%). Few attacking midfielders can boast that level of ambidexterity.

Flick, known for demanding high standards, has even playfully challenged him in press conferences, pushing him to reach higher levels rather than offering excessive praise. 

That approach appears to be working, as Fermin is set for his career-best tally this season.