.jpg?w=2400&h=1350&q=80)
AFC Asian Cup
That Qatar have made it to the final is testament to Lopez's ability to get the best out of his players despite having taken over as head coach slightly more than a month before the continental showpiece kicked off.
The 62-year-old Spaniard took over from the renowned Carlos Queiroz, with sceptics believing that Qatar would struggle to defend the title they won in emphatic fashion for the first time in 2019.
Lopez, however, had other ideas and had no problem fitting in, having already had vast experience of Qatar football.
Lopez left Al Wakrah - having been in charge of the Qatar Stars League side since 2018 - to take charge of the national team and his calm approach has undoubtedly helped a side who could have easily caved in to the pressure of expectations, having to defend the AFC Asian Cup™ title on home soil.
The former midfielder, however, has shielded his squad throughout the tournament, insisting that Qatar would only look as far as their next match.
It is an approach that has worked tremendously well with Qatar easily cruising past the group stage with three wins.
Even when the challenges got tougher in the knockout stage, former Espanyol and Sint-Truiden manager Lopez coaxed the best out of his players and his approach has brought the best out of the likes of Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Hassan Al Haydos.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
While the three have been Qatar's leaders, the rest of the players have all played pivotal roles - thanks to Lopez's management skills.
His one-game-at-a-time approach has taken Qatar on the verge of glory with Lopez, speaking after the 3-2 semi-final win against the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying: "Now we have one final step left in order for us to defend our title."
Qatar's fans can be sure their team will be up for it - Lopez will make sure of that.
