Fermin Lopez confessed Barcelona’s chaotic 4-2 win at Slavia Prague was “complicated” after his two goals papered over some glaring cracks. The midfielder’s first half double rescued a vital three points in a match where the Catalans were far from convincing.
“It was very difficult,” Lopez admitted post match. “The cold, the pitch, they pressed hard. Your feet and hands hurt… but that’s no excuse. We knew it would be a tough match.”
The 21 year old was the undeniable bright spark on a gritty night, coolly netting twice to swing the game back Barca’s way after a shock early Slavia opener. His performance earned him the official Man of the Match award, a honour he’s desperate to repeat.
“I try to take advantage of the manager’s opportunities,” he said. “I hope there will be many more MVP awards. We knew goal difference was important, we wanted a clean sheet. It was complicated, but we got the victory.”
However, the win comes at a potentially huge cost. Pedri was forced off before half time with a hamstring issue, casting a shadow over the result. Lopez, like everyone connected with the club, is now anxiously waiting for news.
“I haven’t spoken with Pedri,” he said. “He felt some discomfort and we’ll wait for the tests. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, and we won’t lose him for long.”
Manager Hansi Flick also admitted he was in the dark over the severity, with the Spain star set for immediate scans. The concern is palpable; Pedri’s injury history means any setback is a major blow for a squad already stretched thin.
The result leaves Barca in a strong position to qualify from the group, but the performance raised more questions than it answered. They were repeatedly opened up on the counter and relied on individual brilliance to see off a spirited Slavia. With El Clasico against Real Madrid now looming on the horizon, Flick needs to find solutions fast and will be praying his star midfielder isn’t added to the treatment table.
