Albacete Coach Praises Barcelona Youngster: ‘A Competitive Animal’
FC Barcelona is set to face Albacete at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Albacete, a second-division team, aims to create another upset after previously eliminating Celta Vigo and Real Madrid. This marks a significant moment for Albacete, as they look to reach the semi-finals for only the second time in their history.
Albacete’s Manager Alberto Gonzalez on Fermin Lopez
In an exclusive interview, Albacete manager Alberto Gonzalez praised Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez. He previously coached Fermin during his loan at Deportivo Linares in the 2022/23 season, just before Fermin made his debut for Barcelona’s first team under coach Xavi Hernandez. Gonzalez expressed admiration for Fermin’s growth, stating he was impressed by how quickly the young talent has developed.
Fermin Lopez: The ‘Competitive Animal’
Gonzalez highlighted the qualities that stand out in Fermin Lopez. He described him as “a competitive animal,” reflecting on his dedication and drive during training sessions. Gonzalez noted Fermin’s exceptional skills, stating that his physical, technical, and tactical capacities continue to improve.
Alberto Gonzalez’s familiarity with Fermin began during their time at Real Betis, where he observed the young player’s competitive spirit. He recounted his positive experiences coaching Fermin at Linares and how easily he agreed to include the talent in his squad when the opportunity arose.
Highlights from the Interview
- Manager: Alberto Gonzalez
- Player: Fermin Lopez
- Team: Albacete
- Previous Club: Deportivo Linares
- Key Attribute: Competitive nature
Gonzalez recounted how Fermin became a part of his team despite Barcelona’s initial plans to retain him at Olot for monitoring. His agents preferred the move to Linares due to the positive previous collaboration Gonzalez had with other players from the same agency.
As Albacete prepares for the match against Barcelona, Gonzalez’s confidence in his player’s capabilities will be vital. They aim to surprise their opponents once more and leave a mark in this year’s Copa del Rey.
