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Gerard Piqué
FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué gave positive news on Tuesday February 2 about his recovery from his knee injury. The central defender shared a video on social networks about the 34-year-old footballer who trained at the Ciutat Esportiva, with the message: “The best gift. I’m back ”, referring to his 34th birthday, on February 2.
The best gift. ⚽️
I am back again. pic.twitter.com/qObDjH0DYL– Gerard Piqué (@ 3gerardpique) February 2, 2021
Pique is seen running and working with the ball as he accelerates his recovery. The defender’s last appearance at the club was in November during the league defeat against Atlético de Madrid.
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Koeman spoke about Piqué’s recovery
On Tuesday, coach Ronald Koeman was asked about Piqué and gave a brief update on the possibility that the defender and Ansu Fati will be ready in time for the FC Barcelona Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this month.
In the case of Gerard and Ansu, the most important thing is that they recover from their injuries. Setting a date is not correct. Hopefully they can participate in these competitions, but I can’t say because they are still recovering so we’ll see. We know we want to have all players available for these very important matches. I hope for the best for both of you as they are very important.
Barça’s options in defense
Barcelona has many defense options if Piqué does not return in time. The defender remains a protagonist for the Catalans, but may no longer have the guarantee to return to the starting eleven right away.
Uruguayan international Ronald Araujo has taken Piqué’s place in the team and has impressed so far in 2020-21. The 21-year-old has a great pace, is strong in the air, and has an impressive baseline presence.
⚠️ | FAST STAT
After tonight, 959 different field players played at least 10 full matches (900 minutes) in the top 5 of European competitions this season.
Barcelona center-back Ronald Araújo is the only one who hasn’t dribbled past at least once. pic.twitter.com/ZJvAQwG17K
– SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) January 31, 2021
Araujo was to blame for a serious foul that resulted in a goal against Eibar, but he showed character by facing off after the game and taking responsibility for the foul, Sport said.
The target we admitted was shit of mine that you can’t admit. We wanted all three points, especially at home, but we played well. It was a fast action that you have to play with two touches and I didn’t see the attacker being that close.
Losing the ball there is very dangerous. It is true that we take a lot of risks, it is our style, but we have to be confident and stand up. We are Barça and we have to fight to the end.
The youngster’s performance has also been praised by manager Ronald Koeman. The Dutch coach gave his opinion on Araujo at a press conference prior to Barça’s victory over Elche.
Ronald gives a lot to this team. He has played a lot of games and plays very well. The central role is a very important position. He is young and takes responsibility well. He has a lot of character, he is intense and, like all young people, there are things he needs to improve, especially when he has the ball. But he is doing well and has performed at a very high level.
Araujo has formed a strong partnership with Samuel Umtiti in the defense of Barça and it looks like he will have a bright future ahead at the Camp Nou.
That’s why Koeman faces a tough decision in choosing his baseline to face PSG and forwards the caliber of Kylian Mbappé and Neymar.
This is the original version from Heavy.com
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