"He was very unlucky against Real Sociedad on the weekend to have his opening goal called back. In that game, if there were justice, Fermín would be looking back as the man of the match who stepped up to break the deadlock, and Barcelona would have been on there way to a commanding victory. But today was another day, and another opportunity to prove yourself. That seems to be the Fermín López mindset. Tomorrow isn't promised if you're a Barcelona player, so you have to make every game count."
"On paper, the mission looked simple in the final two matches of the Champions League league stage. Beat two bottom of the table opponents, hopefully by a healthy margin, and you have a good shot at qualifying in the top eight, and with it, direct qualification for the Round of 16. Unfortunately, the trip to the Czech Republic wasn't so straight forward. Barcelona were being outmuscled and outplayed for much of the first half. Their smaller opponent, again on paper, overwhelmed them with intensity, and attacked the physical mismatch they had on corners."
"But Fermín is a player who can do it anywhere, come rain or shine. He really is a competitive animal, and that's exactly what Barcelona needed on the day, and if we're being honest, have needed all season long, and will continue to require going forward."
Fermín López consistently makes an impact when he plays and retains strong fan support. He was unlucky to have his opening goal against Real Sociedad ruled out, a decision that denied him a match-defining moment and Barcelona a commanding lead. Barcelona faced a difficult trip to Slavia Prague, being outmuscled and outplayed for much of the first half as the opponent exploited physical mismatches on set pieces. Cold conditions and an off day from Pedri hampered Barcelona's usual possession game. Fermín provided the competitiveness and leadership Barcelona needed, while the team must learn to convert chances in front of goal.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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