‘We can compete with anyone’… Barcelona midfielder full of confidence after Valencia win | OneFootball

FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was without one of his midfielders for last night’s game against Valencia, as Gavi had been involved in a brutal head collision with an opposition player in the last match against Alaves, and he was barred from participating in the Copa del Rey quarter-final as a precautionary measure.

As Dani Olmo had also only just returned to the squad following a spell on the sidelines, the clear candidate to start as the attacking midfielder was Fermin Lopez, who had scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists against Valencia only 10 days prior in La Liga.

He actually started the game last night, and was once again able to make a mark as he scored the third goal for his team.

As Mundo Deportivo has reported, he also talked to the media after the match, and expressed his happiness with the opportunities he is getting under Flick:

“I feel better and more confident each time. The coach is giving me opportunities, so I’m very happy.”

After helping his team make way to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, where Barcelona can face difficult opponents like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Real Sociedad, the midfielder was not too concerned with which of these teams he will be playing against in the next round:

“It doesn’t matter who we face in the semifinals; I believe we’ve shown that we can compete with anyone.”

The midfielder also showed his happiness for the good form that his teammate Ferran Torres is showing: “The ‘Shark’ is on a roll. I’m really happy for him. Time to congratulate him.”

Although not a regular starter, Fermin Lopez has been an important part of this Barcelona squad. He has been a highly effective option whenever Flick has needed to replace or rest his starters, and a bench option like him will make it significantly easier for the Blaugranes to face the hectic second half of the season.