Spain manager set to ‘spy’ on 20-year-old Barcelona starlet during El Clasico – report

Barcelona will go head-to-head with arch-rivals Real Madrid in Matchday 11 of the 2023/24 La Liga at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

It will be a high-profile blockbuster encounter with so much riding on the line and will put all players involved to a stern test.

Spain boss to be in attendance

Now, SPORT is reporting that Spain manager Luis de la Fuente will be in attendance at the Montjuic Stadium today to catch the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

There will be a number of Spanish players in action today on both teams and the manager intends to take a close look at everyone in the high-pressure encounter.

The likes of Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, Gavi, and Ferran Torres, among others will be representing Barcelona, and Dani Carvajal, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Joselu, and Fran Garcia will turn out for Real Madrid.

Special eye on Fermin Lopez

The report adds that Luis de la Fuente will also be keeping a close eye on Barcelona youngster Fermin Lopez, who is yet to make his senior breakthrough for Spain.

The 20-year-old, who is expected to start today against Real Madrid, was called up to the national Under-21 team for the first time in the last international break.

The Spanish Federation (RFEF) has been tracking his development for a while now and are working on ways to incorporate him in the La Roja setup.

Lopez’s progress has been so positive that De la Fuente could even call him up to the senior squad for the next window in November when Spain play Cyprus and Georgia in qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships.

A good performance in the biggest match of the La Liga calendar could go a long way in helping Fermin break into the Spanish national team setup.