Ilkay Gundogan has heaped admiration on Barcelona youngster Fermin Lopez while also offering the midfielder some guidance.
Fermin impressed against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek and could play again in the Clasico on Saturday.
Gundogan believes the midfielder is performing well but that he has to improve his poise.
“Fermin is doing very well. He is able to find good solutions in all kinds of situations. We are talking about a very good player and perhaps very decisive. He shoots well with the right, he shoots well with the left, he is good at deep passes,” he said.
“But he has to be able to find the necessary composure at times. If he gets that balance, his level of play will be even higher, it will make him make even better decisions.
“And, like I said before, that’s why I’m here too: I want to help him. And I can do that by talking to them [young players], showing them some actions, so they can visualize and understand.”
Gundogan also admitted he’s eagerly looking forward to his first Clasico and says the youngsters in the squad must learn to handle the occasion.
“The young players are doing extremely well. They will have another chance on Saturday but it is important that they know how to stay calm and be patient,” he said.
“It will be a game with a lot of excitement because it is a big game, maybe the biggest game of their lives so far. We will all have to be more calm and patient than we have been recently. Games can’t become back and forth like the one in Sahktar because the coin can fall either way if it does.
“We need to be more in control. In the last few games we have made very simple mistakes that have cost us goals that we could have avoided. With my experience, it is also my job to make us know how to keep calm.”
Source | Catalunya Radio
Lopez made a strong claim to start the match with his goal against Shakhtar, particularly with Barca having a long injury list right now, and it will be interesting to see how Xavi lines his team up against Madrid.