Fermín López will be the main novelty in Hansi Flick's squad for FC Barcelona's visit to Real Betis. For matchday 15 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, the 22-year-old midfielder will be medically cleared from the right soleus injury he suffered against Chelsea on matchday 5 of the Champions League.

Initially, the player from Huelva was expected to be out for a couple of weeks, but his recovery was satisfactory and Hansi Flick himself confirmed the return of the '16' for the visit to La Cartuja, this Saturday, December 6 (6:30 PM CEST). This season, Betis is playing at home in the stadium where Barça won their last Copa del Rey, against Real Madrid, due to the renovation of the Benito Villamarín stadium.

Fermín López Will Be on the Bench for Betis-Barcelona

In the press conference prior to matchday 15 of La Liga, Flick confirmed that Fermín will be available, although he will **start from the bench** as is usually the case with players returning from injury.

Prior to his second muscular setback of the 25/26 season, the player from El Campillo scored 7 goals and provided 4 assists in 13 matches (880 minutes). The '16' started in 10 opportunities, 7 of them consecutively between October 21st and November 25th.

In that period, López was the best-performing player in the Blaugrana attack, with 5 goals and 4 assists. At the beginning of the season, the player from Huelva had also suffered an inguinal injury. Fortunately, both injuries were minor and his time out did not exceed two weeksIn the case of his soleus problem, Fermín only missed the league matches against **Alavés** and **Atlético de Madrid**, both of which Barça resolved with the same scoreline at the Spotify Camp Nou (3-1).

Fermín's Return, Very Timely After Olmo's Injury

In both matches, Dani Olmo was a key player, scoring a brace against the Vitoria-based team, as well as netting another goal and earning a penalty against the 'Colchoneros'. In this regard, Fermín López's return to action couldn't be more timely, as the player from Terrassa will be out of action for about 1 month due to a left shoulder dislocation

Both footballers have alternated the pivot position this season, with the player from Huelva having had more prominence so far. **Fermín started the season more accurate in front of goal** and, in the coming weeks, will try to maintain the good level he showed during the last month.

For Barça, before the Christmas break, there are still five games to play: three in La Liga (Betis, Osasuna, and Villarreal), one in the Champions League (Eintracht), and their debut in the Copa del Rey, whose opponent and date will be known in the draw next Tuesday, December 9th

That same day, the team plays its sixth match in the Champions League group stage. Against Eintracht, Fermín is likely to return to the starting XI. Against Betis, Pedri or Raphinha are poised to occupy the attacking midfield position.