FC Barcelona's Fermin Lopez back for crucial Sevilla clash

Lopez, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury, completed the session at the same intensity as his teammates, indicating he could be available for selection by manager Hansi Flick for Sunday's clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.

The 20-year-old midfielder has endured a difficult season with injuries. On 17 September, Lopez sustained a right quadriceps muscle injury, with the club's medical staff initially predicting he would be out for around three weeks. However, the recovery has taken slightly longer, with the player missing an entire month of action.

This latest setback came just weeks after Lopez had recovered from a left thigh injury he picked up on 3 September while on duty with Spain's Under-21 squad. Unfortunately, upon his return to Barcelona training, he suffered the injury to his other leg.

These recurring issues have limited his contributions this season to just 57 minutes across three La Liga matches, against Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano, and Valladolid.

Despite his limited game time, Lopez remains a valuable asset to Barcelona's midfield. Flick, who has relied on the likes of Eric García, Pedri, Marc Casado, and Pablo Torre during Lopez's absence, now gains another important option as the team faces a congested fixture list.

"Having Fermin back gives us more flexibility in midfield," Flick said. "We can now rotate the squad better and ensure players are rested during this demanding phase of the season."

Lopez's return comes after a busy summer, where he only had 10 days of rest following his involvement in both the European Under-21 Championship and the Olympic Games. His performances were instrumental in Spain's triumph in Paris, adding to his growing reputation.

Now fully fit, Lopez will be eager to make up for lost time and re-establish himself in Flick's plans as Barcelona look to maintain their strong start to the La Liga season.

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