Fermin Lopez draws level with Maradona on 38 Barcelona goals
The midfielder credits Hansi Flick with improving his decisions on the pitch and could make his 100th La Liga appearance against Atletico Madrid.
Fermin Lopez has taken his Barcelona scoring total to 38 goals across 150 competitive games, drawing level with Diego Maradona's tally for the club. The 23-year-old midfielder also has 36 assists, bringing his direct involvement in goals to 74.
Maradona reached his total in 58 official matches during his Barcelona spell between 1982 and 1984. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Fermin welcomed the milestone but played down comparisons with the Argentine, saying each player had followed his own path.
Fermin has scored six goals and supplied seven assists this season. Figures discussed in the interview put his rate of direct goal contributions at one every 72 minutes this term, compared with one every 108 minutes since his senior debut.
The Spain international credited Hansi Flick with helping him judge when to push attacks forward and when to slow down. He said working with the coach had made him calmer in choosing whether to pass, shoot or run beyond defenders, while improving the timing of his movement into the penalty area.
Fermin also credited Xavi Hernandez with giving him confidence when he entered the first team in August 2023. His next potential milestone is a 100th La Liga appearance against Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona heading into the away fixture two points ahead of Diego Simeone's team at the top of the table.
