Valencia CF 2-0 FC Barcelona: Hits and Flops | La Liga 2019-20

Valencia put on a tactical masterclass on how to stifle Barcelona's gameplan and got a deserved win
Valencia put on a tactical masterclass on how to stifle Barcelona's gameplan and got a deserved win

Flop: Gerard Pique

Should Pique take the paths taken by Mascherano or Iniesta and allow the club to replace him?
Should Pique take the paths taken by Mascherano or Iniesta and allow the club to replace him?

Gerard Pique looks done as a top European center back. His legs just don't have it in them to keep up with teams that will break on great pace (not like he was a master against the counter even in his peak, but still) and he looks more suitable to be started in easy home games that come in the build-up for games like this.

He clumsily gave away a penalty in the first half and arguably could have been sent off with just a quarter of the game played.

For most of the first half he looked out of his depth and out of sync with Umtiti, who had to stop several attacks by running into midfield, also earning him his booking for the match. He was also responsible for the second goal as he ran way out of position along with Sergi Roberto, who's another player who looks like a defensive shamble waiting to happen when tracking back.

A terrible night for the decorated Spaniard. Maybe it's time he considers stepping down a level for the good of the team, allowing them to replace him with a player more suitable to the needs of top European and domestic competition.

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