Barcelona have been flying in La Liga so far this season and, having not yet conceded a single goal, you may think it madness to start complaining about the defence.
But, when you take a closer look at Barcelona’s results in La Liga, you can see that they have had a fairly easy run of fixtures so far this season. Elche, Athletic and Granada at home. Levante, Villareal and Malaga away. While the last two on the list are decent teams, neither have started the season particularly well with Villareal having scored 7 and Malaga just 3 goals in 6 games.
So Barcelona’s first really stern opposition was PSG in midweek. And the defence looked anything but watertight in the manner of the three goals that they conceded in defeat.
It’s a warning to Barcelona, who have far more difficult games ahead. While Mathieu and Mascherano have been ok at the back, we think that it’s time to bring Gerard Pique back into the fold. Although last season was possibly his worst in a Barca shirt, he was one of the most important players in the best side that the club has ever produced.
He was not only a solid defender but also a great passer of the ball and a player who could score important goals.
At 27 Pique still has time to improve and if he remains on the sidelines he may well start to look for a new club before long. The new coach must decide soon whether he trusts the Spanish international. With big games coming up we think that it’s time to reinstate the vastly experienced stopper.
Barcelona fans: does Pique get in your strongest XI?
gen
Oct 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm
pique is too bad, the problem is that enrique still has alot of job to do….. barca has good players but the coach lack pairing, for example, pair pique and matthieu and the back defence and use mascherano at the position of busquet which i look somehow delay in his passes and also not smart enough on that position, then pull out dani alves place douglas there bicos he has not being making out dangerious pull in his right, i think his position is totally paralised. if these changee are made barca would be stronger than before……..
abiola
Oct 3, 2014 at 7:44 pm
I support d coach decision,but I want him to ask for professional advise…UP BARCER
Sir Hir
Oct 3, 2014 at 9:32 pm
I think coach enrique has done a good job so far but i advice dat he shuld start pairing pique and mathew at de back cos dey are lacking height at de back especially to teams dat plays up and long balls though,mascherano has and always been good but he lack height.
Sir Hir
Oct 3, 2014 at 9:37 pm
De team has been good especially recovering lost balls
Wilson Edaregba
Oct 4, 2014 at 5:35 am
Barcelona need players with
height in defence. ,
David
Oct 4, 2014 at 6:42 am
I think the idea of bringing mascherano to the back was wrong,and it wil cost us against strong opponent.playin mascherano at d pivot wil balance d team..i tink busquet need competition at dat role
seun
Oct 8, 2014 at 6:52 am
I support d coach’s decision,but I think he should pair pique n Mathieu @ d back n mascherano in defensive midfield