Barcelona in-form midfielder set to start for Spain against Croatia – report

Barcelona in-form midfielder set to start for Spain against Croatia – report According to SPORT , FC Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez is expected to start for the Spain national team against Croatia on Tuesday after being an unused substitute against England. Manager Luis de la Fuente is set to name the La Masia graduate in the starting XI for La Roja’s second UEFA Nations League match, at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan tomorrow. It will be a significant moment for the Andalusian midfielder as it would be his first start for the senior national team in a competitive match. Fermin has already made seven appearances for Spain, but has never previously started a competitive fixture. His only start came in a friendly against Serbia on 27 March, at La Cerámica. He played the first half and provided the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal to open the scoring in Spain’s 3-0 win. Looking to make up for lost time Fermin Lopez was an unused substitute against England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Since that match, Fermin’s time with Spain has been something of a rollercoaster. His excellent form for Barcelona had put him in contention for the World Cup, but an injury ruled him out of the tournament. On 18 May, he suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the match against Real Betis and subsequently underwent surgery. Spain went on to win the World Cup in July, while Fermin had to watch from the sidelines. Now he returns to the La Roja setup in particularly strong form. The midfielder has made an impressive start to the season with Barcelona, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven matches, including a brace against Elche and a goal and two assists against Valencia. His performances have earned him another place in De la Fuente’s squad, and now comes the next step: his first competitive start for the senior side. Fermin Lopez has made a brilliant start to the season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The Spain coach already knows what Fermin can offer, but until now has mainly used him from the bench. Against Croatia, he will have the chance to demonstrate his qualities from the outset. Also searching for his first goal Fermin is also still searching for his first senior international goal . He has yet to score in his seven appearances, although he has already contributed two assists. Alongside his assist for Oyarzabal against Serbia, he previously set up Ferran Torres against Andorra. The Croatia match therefore represents another chapter in Fermin’s return to La Roja after missing out on the World Cup. It also gives the Barcelona midfielder an opportunity to turn his excellent start to the club season into a more prominent role with Spain.