20-year-old Barcelona academy graduate could start vs Osasuna if Xavi tweaks his tactics

Barcelona completely outplayed Real Madrid in the finals of the Spanish Super Cup last season, on their way to winning the trophy. That performance is still regarded as the best one from his team by manager Xavi Hernandez.

That final had a particularity: it was the definitive springboard to the four midfielders system that Xavi went on to use for the rest of the season, leading to the team’s La Liga triumph.

Xavi has hardly used that system this season, given that the likes of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were injured in the early phases of the season while Gavi’s ACL rupture has also stopped the manager from reverting to the four-man midfield formation.

Fermin Lopez could benefit with a change of system

However, German Bona of SPORT is reporting that the Barcelona coach could consider shifting back to the four-man midfield system especially keeping in mind the hypothetical final, given that Pedri is expected to be available.

If that were to happen tonight, Fermin Lopez would have a very good chance of making the starting lineup, the report adds.

The 20-year-old La Masia graduate is in a good moment currently and was one of Barcelona’s best players in the Copa del Rey win against Barbastro, scoring a goal.

With his qualities of hard work, game intelligence, and commitment, Fermin would be well-suited to the role of the false-winger that Gavi occupied in last season’s Super Cup final vs Real Madrid.

As things stand, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, and Sergi Roberto are likely to start as the midfield trio against Osasuna tonight.

And, if Xavi opts to tweak the formation and deploy another midfielder as a false-winger on the left, Fermin could stand to benefit.