LaLiga 2018-19: FC Barcelona 1-0 Real Valladolid: 5 Talking Points 

#1 Gerard Pique's mammoth performance: One of the most underrated players

Pique winning the penalty for Barcelona which helped them score. It is the only moment that caused a difference in the scoreline.

Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos are two of the most hated people in football. However, the latter is appreciated highly enough for his defensive talents and leadership qualities. Gerard Pique is unlucky enough to be booed by people of his own country, called slow and finished by his own fanbase, and not be considered among the all-time greats as a defender.

To be really honest, Pique is one of the best personalities that one could come across. He is a great defender, very good in 1v1 situations, great in anticipation and tackling, and is a great ball player.

He is one the better leaders on the pitch too, motivating his defense, helping out in the attack, doing his duties well. Due to his blunt attitude, people hate him. He is very vocal about his likings, his support for Catalan independence, and pretty much everything else.

Take his performance against Valladolid. He helped in holding the defensive line and when he saw that the forwards needed help, he drove forward. Pique's presence in the front provided an extra man to pass, and defence had one more man to watch out for. He won the penalty for Barcelona due to which they won the game.

He had 7.1% of the team's possession, the most for any Barcelona player. He had 95% pass accuracy while making 79 accurate passes, the most by any player in the game. And to add to it, he also won five aerial battles.

For how much more time are we going to underrate Gerard Pique? Barcelona have been depending on him for the last 5 to 6 games.