20-year-old Barcelona starlet very likely to start against Granada – report

Following a 1-0 victory over FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League this midweek, FC Barcelona will look to continue their winning momentum in La Liga as they take on Granada this weekend.

Given the strenuous win over Porto in midweek, coach Xavi Hernandez is likely to introduce a few changes heading into the Granada game.

Fermin Lopez likely to start vs Granada

One of the players who could stand to benefit from Xavi’s rotation policy this weekend is Fermin Lopez.

According to Toni Juanmarti, everything suggests Lopez will be a starter against Granada on Sunday, as Xavi looks to change things up in the attacking unit.

Lopez has been a solid performer for Barcelona in recent matches, often making an impression from the bench.

He even received praise from Marc-Andre ter Stegen following the win over Sevilla last weekend.

It is no secret that the injuries to the likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Raphinha have benefitted the 20-year-old La Masia graduate a great deal.

How can Barça line up against Granada?

Fermin Lopez’s introduction to the starting eleven could see Xavi making a few tweaks in the attacking unit.

With Robert Lewandowski picking up a fresh injury, Xavi may utilise someone like Ferran Torres up top, with support from Lopez, Lamine Yamal, and Joao Felix in the final third.

One of Felix or Yamal could start on the bench, as part of Xavi’s rotation policy, but Lopez remains a surefire option in the creative department.

The young Spaniard has only netted one goal this season, but he may need to find his scoring feet as Barcelona look to deal without star striker Lewandowski and Raphinha in the coming matches.

Given that Lopez did impress in the pre-season game against Real Madrid, a strong outing could go a long way in increasing Xavi’s confidence in the player, ahead of El Clasico later this month.