Manager hails “fantastic” Fermin Lopez for the midfielder’s impact
The satisfaction of Barcelona coach Hansi Flick from his side’s win over Slavia Prague was tempered by the injury to midfielder Pedri.
The Spaniard was forced off early in the second half of the 4-2 win and will undergo tests on Thursday to determine the extent of the problem.
“I don’t know what he has exactly, but it’s the hamstring,” Flick said. “It is what it is. Sometimes these things happen. I don’t know how long he will be out. It’s not good news. We will see [on Thursday].”
Barcelona fell behind with 10 minutes played in a game that was a must-win, but Fermin Lopez struck twice to pull his side ahead before Robert Lewandowski’s own goal allowed Slavia back in the game.
Substitutes Dani Olmo and Marcus Rashford then helped turn the game around in the second half, the former getting the third goal and the latter providing the assist for Lewandowski to make amends.
“Fermin is a fantastic player,” Flick said in praise of the midfielder, who now has 20 goal contributions in 24 appearances this season. “It was important for him and the club that he stayed here last summer because he came through at Barcelona, he lives for Barca.”
