Barcelona's final pre-season game was a pivotal moment for many players vying for a starting spot in the La Liga opener, and none made a stronger statement than Fermín López.
The La Masia graduate delivered a truly impressive performance, making a compelling case for the central attacking midfield role, a position heavily contested by established stars like Dani Olmo and Gavi. He was the star of the show, scoring two goals and playing a key role in Raphinha's and the team’s third goal of the evening as his pass set Marcus Rashford away, who then squared the ball across the goal for the Brazilian to score.
His first goal exemplified a constant theme in the first half: Flick's men pressing high and forcing the opposition into mistakes. A stray pass through the middle fell directly to Fermín, who, with an impressive touch, composed himself before placing a clinical, low shot neatly into the corner, leaving the keeper and a defending Sergi Roberto with no chance.
The second goal evidenced more class, a sequence that perfectly encapsulated "the Barcelona way." The move started with Fermín and Lamine Yamal combining in the wide position, before the latter drifted inside and had his shot blocked. The ball eventually found its way to Frenkie de Jong, whose pass to the edge of the box, where Fermín was waiting to curl a sublime shot into the top-left corner.
Two world-class finishes and an instrumental role in the build-up to several attacks capped off a dominant first 45 minutes for the player. However, his influence waned in the second half, allowing other stars to shine brightly. Lamine Yamal was also a standout, as we have come to expect, scoring two goals. His second strike, in particular, was superb and drew immediate comparisons to the legendary a Thierry Henry finish , a testament to its sheer quality and class.
Fermín's extended playing time was another major talking point. Despite Barcelona making a number of changes, he was kept on the pitch for a significant portion of the second half before being replaced by Pedro Fernández Sarmiento. While this doesn't guarantee he will be Hansi Flick's first-choice, his impressive performance and sustained minutes suggest he has made a very compelling case to start the season opener, giving the manager a genuine selection headache.
Throughout most of the 5-0 victory, Fermín was instrumental, dictating the attacking flow just behind the striker with his sharp passing and movement. His display has undoubtedly cemented his position as a frontrunner for that crucial AM role, giving Hansi Flick a significant selection headache ahead of the new season, especially if Dani Olmo returns to the squad next week.