Barcelona identify Pique replacement

19 nov 2017

Gerard Piqué received his fifth yellow card against Leganes which means that he won't be available for Barcelona's upcoming game against Valencia. This won't be easy for Barcelona as Valencia play very well at home. Will Valverde use Umiti alongside Vermaelen at the back? The Belgian player has not seen the pitch this season as one has to feel that he might not be ready for such a challenge. What are the alternatives? There aren't many since Javier Mascherano is also injured and won't be available.

According to Don Balon , here is Valverde's idea: to use Nelson Semedo as a center-back alongside Umiti. If this is the case, then Aleix Vidal would be used as a wing-back since Sergi Roberto is still injured. The former Benfica star is very quick as he would try to contain Valencia's smaller but quicker players. On the other hand, Umiti would be in charge of marking the heavier Simone Zaza. This still remains to be seen, but this possibility is growing as each day does by...