Barcelona defender Gerard Pique suffers thigh injury

Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique is a doubt for Barcelona’s Champions League last 16 second leg with Manchester City after having been ruled out for two weeks by a thigh injury.

Pique suffered the injury as Barca suffered a shock defeat away to Real Sociedad on Saturday, during which the Catalans went down 3-1 in the Basque country.

With the second leg just 17 days away now, Goal report the classy Spanish defender could miss the return leg at the Nou Camp against City, with Barcelona currently holding a 2-0 lead after their victory at the Etihad.

Pique is considered a key element of Barcelona’s back-line and with the Spanish giant’s lack of defensive options, it leaves them very short at the back.

With City hoping to have Sergio Aguero back for the trip to Camp Nou, it leaves real doubt as to whether Barca can protect their first leg lead and gives the Premier League side further hope that they can turn the tie around in unprecedented fashion.

Barcelona confirmed on their website, “Gerard Pique will be out of action for two weeks after suffering a minor thigh injury against Real Sociedad.

“Pique also missed the away game to Betis in November with groin trouble, the same problem that led to him being dropped as a precautionary measure for the games with Osasuna and Celta Vigo.”

Pique will definitely miss league games against Almeria and Valladolid and faces a race against time to be fit for that crucial match at home to Manchester City.

Gerard Pique has won 81 aerial duels this season for Barcelona, 29 more than Manchester City’s most prolific aerial battler, Edin Dzeko (52).