Pique talks Araujo, Martinez, goalkeeper debate, La Masia, best Barcelona match, Real Madrid | OneFootball

Former Barcelona captain and club legend Gerard Pique unveiled Uber Eats’ new advertising campaign at La Liga’s headquarters earlier today, along with Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas.

The former Barcelona defender did not mince his words and threw several darts at Real Madrid with his usual tone, while also talking about the Blaugrana.

Shots fired at Real Madrid

Indeed, taking a dig at Real Madrid over their recent complaints about refereeing after the 1-0 loss to Espanyol last weekend, Pique called it a ‘smokescreen’ and a tactic to put pressure through media.

“‘The statement is a full-blown smokescreen. They have been doing it for 120 years. When they lose, they have to talk about something else. That’s what they want,” he said.

Continuing, Pique added: “Referees are like that and that’s the way they will always be. They are going to make mistakes.

“From Madrid, it has always been done and the media pressure and turning on the machines when things don’t go well, we are used to it. From then on, the referees are going to be under pressure.”

On Barcelona’s current team

Pique also touched upon the current situation at Barcelona, where they are having to deal with the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, with Inaki Pena and Wojciech Szczesny battling for the No. 1 position.

On being asked if it was more difficult for teams to deal with the absence of a goalkeeper or a centre-back, Pique remarked:

“Being without a goalkeeper changes you a lot, more than if it’s an outfield player. Because the goalkeeper is the one who surely never changes, he’s always the same.

“If they’re coming out with the ball, the corners, whether they come out or not. The automatisms change.”

Pique weighed in on Barcelona’s current situation. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

On Barcelona’s goalkeeping situation, in particular, he added: “At Barça at the moment it’s going very well, the results are there. It’s true that both are performing well. They’re both performing well, we’ll see who he stays with.”

Another selection dilemma on manager Hansi Flick’s hands is the centre-back position, with him having to choose between Ronald Araujo and the fit-again Inigo Martinez as Pau Cubarsi’s partner.

On the matter, Pique said: “It’s impossible to compare or to be able to choose between one or the other. They have different characteristics. It’s the coach’s decision, they’re both centre-backs for Barça, they’re proving it and whoever plays I’m calm.”

The club legend also put La Masia over when asked about the best young talents in La Liga, while not letting go of a chance to take another potshot at Real Madrid.

“There is a lot of very young talent, in the case of Barça it comes out of La Masía and in the case of Madrid it comes out of the chequebook. But I think they have a promising future,” he noted.

Pique also predicted Barcelona to win the La Liga title this season while tipping Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club to finish second and third, respectively.

“Barça first, Atletico second, Athletic third. Watch out, they’re there,” he said.

On being asked to name the best game he was part of at Barcelona, Pique selected two, saying:

“In terms of play, the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United. If it’s against Madrid, the 2-6 at the Bernabeu.”

Source: MARCA