‘We learned a lot’ – Fermin Lopez recalls painful Inter defeat ahead of new UCL push | OneFootball

Although he does not get the spotlight as much as some other players like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, the midfielder Fermin Lopez has been another product of La Masia who has enjoyed a highly successful period with the first team in the last few years.

He remains an important part of Hansi Flick’s team, and as Mundo Deportivo has reported, recently appeared in an interview with UEFA, ahead of the UCL game against Newcastle United. The Spaniard talked about different aspects of his career so far in this interview.

The midfielder understood what was needed from his team to win the UCL:

“We have to stay united, both on and off the pitch. In the end, the Champions League is decided by small details, by seconds of play. We all trust ourselves and our abilities.”

Fermin reflected on his team’s elimination from the competition last season:

“That day was very tough, but we learned a lot because we were very close to reaching the Champions League final. We learned from it and understood what we needed to improve in order to reach the final and win it this year.”

Overall, the midfielder was very happy with how his career has unfolded:

“For me, it’s a dream come true to achieve these things with Barça: playing in the Champions League, being named Player of the Match, and scoring a hat-trick. I’m very happy with what I’m doing, and I hope I can continue like this.”

The Spaniard commented on the importance of team spirit in the UCL:

“The Champions League is a very difficult competition. Every team makes things hard for you, but I believe in myself and my teammates help me a lot on the pitch, just like our coach. All of that helps me perform, and I only think about helping the team — and I believe that’s what is happening.”

Fermin also commented on how Hansi Flick has helped him improve since his arrival:

“I’ve improved a lot since Hansi arrived. I think he has helped me develop many aspects of my game. I believe I’m having a good season with him. He’s a very demanding coach but also very approachable. He has helped me with decision-making, scoring goals, staying focused throughout the match, and also in defense. I think he has helped me in almost every aspect as a player.”

The Spaniard believed it was both luck and hard work that allowed him to succeed at Barcelona:

“In football, you need a bit of luck, and maybe I had it, but I think I worked hard. You always have to think about going further and improving. I’ve won a lot with the national team and with Barça, and I’m very happy about it, but I always think about winning even more and becoming even better.”

Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez understood he still had a lot to learn and improve:

“When I was at Linares or at La Masia, I would have loved and dreamed of experiencing what I’ve experienced now. I think that helps me every day because I always want to give my best, learn, and improve game by game. I still have a lot to learn, and I hope to keep achieving great things.”

The midfielder also commented on how he is a different person away from the field:

“I’m a calm, simple, and family-oriented person outside the field. I like to relax and do simple things. But I think I transform on the pitch. I become more competitive, more intense, maybe even a bit aggressive in my style of play. I think I change a lot from the personal side to the professional side.”

The Spaniard revealed how he found his love for football:

“When I was little, I didn’t like football very much. But when I was seven or eight, my friends used to play on a small pitch in my hometown. After that, I caught the football bug, and it became something every day for me — and it still is today.”

Fermin Lopez also talked about how he could have left the club early in his career, but ended up staying:

“I trained with Xavi and my teammates during the first week, and it went very well. At first I was a bit nervous for my debut against Villarreal, but once I stepped onto the pitch I tried to relax and play my best. It was incredible to share the field with players like Frenkie, Pedri, Lewandowski, or Raphinha. Playing with such good players helps you improve even more.”

Fermin Lopez has clearly come a long way in his Barcelona career, and hopefully, he will continue to learn and grow going forward as well.