Following their hard-fought 2-1 win over Girona in La Liga, FC Barcelona are set to resume their UEFA Champions League campaign with the match against Olympiacos.
The Catalans will be looking to get a win in this game, especially as they lost three points in their last UCL game against Paris Saint-Germain. For this purpose, Hansi Flick will be luckily able to count on some players who have returned from their injuries in the last few days.
One such player is the midfielder Fermin Lopez, who recovered from his physical problem during the October international break, [and who put in quite an impressive performance in the last game against Girona](https://semprebarca.com/pedri-9-0-frenkie-8-5-fc-barcelona-2-1-girona-player-ratings/), coming onto the pitch in the second half.
As [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20251020/1002553943/rueda-prensa-flick-fermin-directo-previa-champions-league.html) has reported, the Spanish midfielder was also the player who faced the microphones ahead of the UCL game against Olympiacos.
The Barcelona midfielder talked about his recovery from injury, his aspirations for the season, and the upcoming game in this presser. The main highlights from his press conference are as follows:
Fermin started by commenting on the match against Olympiacos:
**“I think it’s going to be a very tough match; obviously, it’s the Champions League and we’re coming off a loss against PSG. We need to play a good game, regain our rhythm, and win.”**
The Spaniard was clear that he feels important in this team:
**“There have been many injuries, and we have to play with what we have — and those are very good players. I’ve always felt like an important player, whether starting or coming off the bench. I have to play when the coach decides and contribute my best.”**
The midfielder also explained what Hansi Flick asks of him:
**“He asks me to press high, play simple, and make runs into space. I try to do that as best I can, and I can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder whenever the coach needs me.”**
Fermin was not clear whether he would start in El Clasico:
**“We have two important games coming up and a great week ahead. I don’t know if I’ll start — that’s up to the coach — but whatever my role is, I’ll try to help the team and get the three points in both matches.”**
The Spaniard was clear that Barcelona will improve going forward:
**“It’s a process. Right now, we’re not feeling as we’d like to, but there’s still a lot of time and a long season ahead. The team is always united, eager to improve and work hard, and in the coming weeks — starting with tomorrow’s game — we’ll get back to our best version.”**
The midfielder was linked with a move away from the club last summer, but he made it clear that he always wanted to stay:
**“I was very calm because I always wanted to stay here — I never doubted it. A lot of things came out, and that’s something I can’t control, but what mattered was that I wanted to be here, and that’s what happened.”**
When asked about any issues in the team’s playing style, Fermin was clear that it is not in his hands:
**“I can’t decide how the team plays, but I think what the coach asks for is always what’s best for the team. Right now, we’re not at our best, but we’ll get back to the level of last season. It’s a matter of time, work, and self-criticism.”**
The midfielder was confident that the team will recover its defensive prowess:
**“The defensive phase is part of the whole team — those who press, the defenders, the midfielders… We know what we have to do, we know the coach’s plan, and I’m sure we’ll press like before and get back to our previous level. Raphinha is a very important player, he’s already shown it, and we hope he comes back as soon as possible.”**
The Spaniard also admitted that some improvements are needed in this Barcelona team:
**“There are moments in games — you can’t dominate the entire match or play at the same level for ninety minutes. We try to, but the opponent also plays. We have to improve some things, but they’re just moments in the match, and we’ll get better.”**
Fermin revealed the state of his physical sensations after recovering from his last injury:
**“I feel very good. I was able to play 45 minutes and I’m ready for whatever the coach decides.”**
The midfielder was full of praise for his young teammate, Lamine Yamal:
**“I’ve known Lamine since we were kids, and he’s the best player in the world. Everyone’s going to talk about him, and anyone will try to go after him. He needs to stay calm — he’s mature in that sense — and we try to help him because he’s very important. If he’s doing well, the team will do well.”**
Despite the upcoming El Clasico, the Spaniard was focused on the UCL game against Olympiacos:
**“We’re not thinking beyond tomorrow. It’s a very important game; we’re coming off a loss against PSG, and we have to focus on tomorrow — play our best match and get back to winning.”**
Fermin was also focused on getting all the three points from this game against the Greek side:
**“The team is doing very well and really excited about tomorrow’s match. It’s the Champions League, a very important competition. We can’t wait for it to come — we’ll try to play our best game and get the three points.”**
It is still not clear whether he would be able to start against Olympiacos, as he is coming from an injury. However, the absences of Dani Olmo and Gavi mean he would not have a lot of competition in the starting lineup for Barcelona.