Gerard Pique’s development into “the best centre-back in the world” is a major reason behind Barcelona’s excellent defensive record in the Champions League, according to ex-teammate Carles Puyol.
Pique, 31, has been fighting a knee injury throughout the second half of the season but has remained an ever-present in Ernesto Valverde’s side, alongside Samuel Umtiti.
Part of a backline which has conceded just three goals in the Champions League — the fewest in the competition — and only 15 in La Liga, Pique has taken on more responsibility in recent seasons since the retirement of his long-time partner, Puyol, in 2014.
“Right now, Pique is the best centre-back in the world,” Puyol said in an interview with La Vanguardia. “He’s the perfect age and physically he is in great shape. He’s always been very intelligent, but you notice it more now.
“The same with his leadership, which he’s always had but now he’s in complete control on the pitch, especially at the back. That’s a plus.
“His positioning has improved as well. He hardly ever loses his position and he knows how to read the game and to anticipate what’s going to happen. He never loses his head. He seems more responsible, too, something which comes with time and age.”
Pique and Barcelona’s defending has been one of the keys to their success this season as they continue to compete for three trophies.
However, against Roma on Wednesday, the Catalan defender showed another side of his game as he surged forward to score Barca’s third in a 4-1 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win.
“Now he picks his moments [to join in attacks] much better,” Puyol added. “Maybe he will only go forward once in a game now but he has a gift, something intangible that very few players have. It’s called goal-scoring instinct and that allows him to be in the right place at the right time. It happened against Roma, he went forward once and he scored.”
Barca are back in action against Leganes at Camp Nou on Saturday. If they avoid defeat against the Madrid-based side, they will extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to 38 games, matching the league record which has been held by Real Sociedad since 1980.
Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @SamuelMarsden.
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