Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has criticised Real Madrid’s complaints about refereeing in La Liga, saying the narrative is beginning to wear thin ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Speaking to Teledeporte (h/t MARCA), the Spaniard also discussed Barcelona’s approach to the match and identified Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe as two of Real Madrid’s biggest threats.
Fermin expects an open El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid
Fermin, who has grown into a key player for Barcelona under Hansi Flick, made it clear that neither team was the favourite heading into Sunday’s highly-anticipated El Clasico.
Instead, he stressed the importance of Barcelona maintaining their composure and executing their game plan.
“In a match like this, there are no favourites; anyone can win. We are two great teams, and we have to focus on playing our game and controlling our emotions and the small details,” he said.
A key player for Barcelona. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
Barcelona midfielder hits back at Real Madrid’s refereeing narrative
Fermin was also asked about Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid’s continued criticism of refereeing decisions, a subject that has generated considerable debate ahead of the Clasico.
The Barcelona midfielder made it clear that he had little interest in becoming involved in the controversy, but suggested that the repeated complaints were becoming tiresome.
“This talk is getting a bit tiresome, because we’re showing our true level on the pitch,” he said, hitting back at Los Blancos.
“It’s not fair to engage in that kind of rhetoric when things are going well for us, but I don’t like getting involved in that kind of controversy, and neither does anyone on the team,” he added.
Not happy with Real Madrid’s complaints against refereeing. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“We have to keep focusing on our own path, and if they want to engage in that kind of talk, it’s because things are going well for them.”
Fermin identifies Courtois and Mbappe as Real Madrid threats
Despite his criticism of the surrounding narrative, Fermin was respectful when assessing Real Madrid’s individual quality. He singled out goalkeeper Courtois and forward Mbappe as players Barcelona would need to contain.
“Courtois earns a lot of points, makes a lot of saves, and Mbappe is a game-changer, so if I could I’d take them both out,” Fermin stated.
“But Madrid has very good players and we have to control them all as a team,” he concluded.