Espanyol Former Real Madrid stopper scoops award

Diego Lopez has a score to settle with Messi

It is seldom that a goalkeeper receives recognition for his performances but following an excellent run with Espanyol, Diego Lopez has been named November's Player of the Month.

After what has been a quite sensational month for the Spaniard, he received the award after going a whole 586 minutes without conceding a goal in LaLiga.

Lopez has been eager to avoid complacency ahead of the upcoming derby match against Barcelona and the stopper told the media how determined he was to improve his record against the Blaugrana's elite forwards.

"The two players who have scored the most goals against me are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I hope to end this streak from the best players starting at the Camp Nou on Sunday," he explained.

Messi is the figurehead of a potent Los Cules attack which also includes Neymar and Luis Suarez and in order for Espanyol to take anything from the upcoming clash they will at times have to lean on their goalkeeper.

Thus far, his loan spell from AC Milan has been an undoubted success but as many shot-stoppers will tell you, a goalkeeper's good run can end with just one minor mistake such is the importance of the position.

It is incredibly difficult to focus on all three of the Barcelona forwards but the 35-year-old has made clear how much of an error it would be to prioritise Messi over his South American counterparts.

"They have a lot of individual quality and complement each other very well, they are practically unstoppable and we have to hope they aren't on their game."

Lopez has made 76 saves in LaLiga this term and statistically is the fourth best keeper in the division, as such it should come as little surprise that Espanyol are already investigating a way in which they can make the loan move permanent.

Whilst often coming out second best in the Catalan derby it is clear to Lopez that the fixture is of great importance to supporters.

"It is a game that we are all looking forward to, it is the most important in the calendar and whilst we know it will be difficult we will compete to our maximum level."

It is an intangible that is difficult to quantify when you judge how well the success of an individual can permeate throughout the dressing room but it is hoped the former Los Blancos star's award will give his team confidence to give local bragging rights to Los Periquitos.