Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has spoken about the performances of midfielder Fermin Lopez, who has made a highly productive start to the current La Liga campaign.
Lopez, 23, has played in four league matches this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists. His contribution has come as Barcelona have moved to the top of the La Liga table, with Flick’s side collecting 12 points from their opening four fixtures.
The details of Flick’s assessment are centred on what Lopez must still add to his game, despite the midfielder’s impressive output in front of goal. The Barcelona manager’s comments come at a time when Lopez has established himself as one of the most effective attacking contributors in the team’s early league programme.
Four goals in four appearances represents a significant return for the midfielder, while his two assists underline his involvement in creating opportunities for his team-mates. Those figures give Lopez six goal contributions from his opening four La Liga matches of the season.
Barcelona’s perfect record has placed them at the summit of the championship after four rounds. They have taken maximum points so far, and Lopez’s displays have formed part of a positive opening to the campaign under Flick.
The German coach will now prepare his team for the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign. Barcelona are scheduled to host Feyenoord on 9 September in their first match of the competition’s league phase.
That fixture will provide Lopez with another opportunity to continue his strong start and respond on the pitch to the areas identified by Flick. Barcelona will enter the match as the current leaders of La Liga, having won all four of their league games to date.
Lopez’s scoring record will also be one of the key elements of attention around the midfielder. Although the source of Flick’s comments does not specify the precise aspects of Lopez’s game that the coach believes require improvement, the timing of the assessment is notable given the player’s statistical impact.
The midfielder has already scored four times and assisted twice in the league this season, while Barcelona have taken 12 points from 12 available. Flick’s remarks therefore come alongside evidence of a player making a decisive contribution during the team’s unbeaten opening run.
Barcelona’s meeting with Feyenoord on 9 September will be their first match in the UEFA Champions League league phase. It will also offer Lopez the chance to build on his four-goal, two-assist return as Flick’s side begin their European campaign.