Gerard Pique set for a big opportunity at Barcelona

The 35-year-old defender has only made one appearance in LaLiga all season, but that could change this weekend.

Barcelona’s defensive injury crisis could open the door for Gerard Pique to return to the starting line-up.

Pique has fallen out of favor under Xavi Hernandez. The manager has only played his former Barca teammate twice across LaLiga and the Champions League and named him as a starter once this season.

But a disastrous international break has brought a fresh wave of injury problems for Barcelona, especially at the back.

Center-back Ronald Araujo could be out until December after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury. Jules Kounde, a €50 million summer acquisition from Sevilla, is another one out. The Frenchman has a thigh problem as well. He may not be available for Xavi’s side until next month. Full-backs Sergi Roberto and Hector Bellerin are also unavailable.

This leaves Barcelona with only three established central defenders: Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Pique.

Should Xavi decide to play Pique for Saturday’s trip to Mallorca, it could hand the Catalan a big chance to turn his Barca career around and avoid becoming surplus to requirements next summer.

According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona can end Pique’s contract a year early in 2023 if he plays in less than 35% of the club’s games this term.