Pique argued with the referee at half-time She followed him into the tunnel Red card given
WHAT HAPPENED? The legendary defender was sent off shortly after team-mate Robert Lewandowski’s second yellow card for a flying elbow. Because Pique had not yet been brought into the game as a substitute, the Blaugrana remained with 10 men instead of nine. WHAT DID THEY SAY? Xavi claimed after the match that he fully intended to bring Pique on the pitch in the second half before he was sent off. The manager told reporters: “Pique would be involved today because [Andreas] Christensen is recovering from injury and so is Eric [Garcia] had discomfort.” Pique came on for Gilles Manzano as soon as the first half ended. “But did you see who you expelled?” the Catalan central defender asked the referee, pointing at him. pic.twitter.com/p4Cglf4U6O — GOAL España (@GoalEspana) November 8, 2022 WHY WAS THE CARD GIVEN? It’s unclear what Pique said to match official Gil Manzano, but there’s no doubt the referee knew it was the defender’s last game before retirement and sent him off anyway. THE BIGGER PICTURE: Well, that’s one way to end a career! Any lingering grievances Pique had against Manzano are undoubtedly off his chest now. He was hotly sent off last weekend in his final appearance at the Camp Nou, so perhaps he felt his farewell to football was already complete. WHAT’S NEXT? For Pique, probably a spell with his feet up. Barcelona, meanwhile, are not in action again until December 31 when they face Espanyol in La Liga.
