The reasons behind Gerard Pique’s sudden decline

This analysis of Gerard Pique originally featured on another site in our analysis network, barcelonaanalysis.com

Gerard Pique has had a horrible start to the new Barcelona season. The main man in defence was the direct culprit in most of the goals Blaugrana conceded in the last three games, and as such, is mostly responsible for acquiring only two of the total of nine points that were on the table for the (still) league leaders. The Catalan side is somehow still leading the charge with Real Madrid following closely but the difference in the schedule is enormous. This tactical analysis will hopefully shed some light on Pique’s decline in recent games with the provided statistics and examples.

Girona

Although VAR was definitely in the spotlight in the game against Girona, it is extremely difficult to escape the feeling that Pique was directly at fault for both of the goals the hosts conceded. The match did end in a draw, and Barcelona was close to winning with 10 men on the field but that was of little importance at the end of the day. Girona scored two past Marc-Andre ter Stegen but the German did not have much of a chance when his defence were non-existent for the most part. Messi led the charge with a nice goal in the 19^th minute but the guests equalized by the end of the half. Stuani was the scorer but he did have some help from Pique himself.

Aday made the cross while the attacker was in a “sandwich” position between Pique and Busquets but still managed to get a hold of the ball. It was Pique’s bad touch that moved the ball in the space in front of the goalkeeper and put Stuani in a 1v1 position that resulted in a goal.  We could argue that Busquets is equally to be blamed, and to a certain extent he is for not heading the ball away but it’s Pique’s first touch that made the “assist” to Stuani in the end.

The second goal that turned the game around came in the 51^st minute by the same player, and once again, Pique was at the heart of everything. He misses a crucial sliding tackle after initially losing a foot race with Portu. At first, MAtS saves the shot but the ball deflects back to Stuani who blasts it in the top right corner effortlessly. Pique’s pace cannot really be changed and everyone knows he is not that fast but the mistimed tackle left Portu in a 1v1 situation, which is directly the defender’s fault and for the second time in that game.