Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has underlined the importance of La Masia in the club’s ambition, saying that the youth academy is like the second home for all the young talents at the club.
Barcelona have relied a lot on the youth team this season, owing to troubling finances and this has culminated in something very exciting as players like Fermin, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi have made a strong mark within the first team.
“The people at home feel a lot about the club, we have been part of Barça since we were little and we feel it as if we were just another fan, that’s where the joy we showed comes from and everything we did after the match against Napoli and qualifying,” said the youngster in an interview with SPORT.
“The club is in a more difficult moment and has to rely more on young people and I think we try to live up to the challenge because playing for Barça is difficult, but there is a group of young people who I think can stay in the first team for many years,” he added.
On Cubarsi and Yamal
It is to be noted that while Yamal has been a part of the first team fold since the beginning of the season, it took Cubarsi a while to make a breakthrough. However, despite being only 17 years of age, the centre-back has made quite a mark.
Speaking about the defender, Fermin said that it is admirable what he has achieved in such short time.
“It’s incredible, in training we already see it, but then in the games against the forwards he faces, how he plays… It’s admirable, I’m very happy.
“At La Masia, they do good work, in the youth teams, and what they are looking for is to bring as many people as possible to the first team. They prepare us quite well and then it’s about getting there and doing it well, which is what Pau is doing.”
Yamal and Cubarsi happen to share a great friendship and while speaking about the bond, Fermin said,
“The truth is that La Masia is like our second home, our second family. There are many good moments, as well as bad ones, and together we all come together and hence that camaraderie that is later seen.
“As almost all of us have met as children, we have seen the same game, played the same thing, it may be that in the first team it is noticeable that we know each other.”
Match against PSG
Barcelona have been pitted against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final and truth be told, the Blaugrana are expected to have a hard time against the team from the French capital.
However, Fermin is optimistic about the match, saying that it will be a great match and everyone in the team will give their best to qualify for the semi-final
“The truth is that it will be a great game, a difficult game because they are a great team, but whoever we played was going to be difficult and it was going to cost us. We will try to play our game and advance to the semis.
“In the end, you know that whoever we got was a great team, we got PSG and we are happy. In the end it does help us that we play the second leg at home, yes, but whoever it is that happens to you…
“It is true that City, well, they are a great team and they are very good, but you can also find them in a final.
“Motivation already comes as standard in the Champions League. We will play against a great rival and, in that aspect, everyone will be engaged,” he added.
Furthermore, when asked about the threat that a certain Kylian Mbappe will pose during the tie, he said, “He [Kylian] is one of the most dangerous players that PSG has, but there is also Dembele. They are great players and we will try to stop them.”
On Xavi and his playing time
Fermin also spoke about Xavi’s tenure at Barcelona and how the sensations are within the club at the moment. He said,
“On a mental level, we have taken a step forward. Now we have to try to extend this dynamic until the end and win titles.”
Xavi has used Fermin across various positions this season and the midfielder explained the manager’s role in adapting to the needs.
“Against Napoli I played as an 8, inside, but more as a midfielder. The truth is that I feel good between the lines, the coach helps me a lot and things are going well and we won.”
Between January and February, Fermin had a spell of not playing much as he was only making late substitute appearances and the 20-year-old admitted that it was a time that he did not feel good.
“Everyone likes to play and do well, I went through a period in which I didn’t feel as good as I did at the beginning, but they are processes that are experienced throughout the season.
“I’m young, I have to learn, I learn from my teammates, the coach helps me a lot and now I feel good again. Let’s make it as long as possible.”
Fermin eventually got his chance against Athletic Club earlier this month when Frenkie de Jong was injured in the the first half. However, the 20-year-old was far from being his usual self.
“I was screwed, yes, but not only for me, but because it was an opportunity to close the gap and we didn’t win.
“I didn’t play a good game and I was a little more screwed. But in the end you think that it’s over, that another opportunity will come next week and that’s it.
“You rely on the people around you. If you play a bad game and people from the team, or the coach, come and encourage you and give you confidence for the next game to do well… Well, everything is easier,” he admitted.
Xavi’s departure
Xavi is set to depart at the end of the season and Fermin admitted that he will miss the manager because he has given him everything.
“He has almost given me everything here at the club because, since I came from the loan, he is the person who has trusted me the most. He has always given me that confidence, the opportunity to be a first-team player, and we will miss him, obviously.”
He also admitted that winning the UEFA Champions League would be a great farewell gift not only for Xavi but also for the fans.
“In the league we still have faith. We know it is difficult because Madrid and Girona are having a good year, but yes, of course, in the Champions League we are very motivated, we are doing well and we will see ourselves there. We will fight until the end to get it.”
