The central defender was sent off in the early stages of the second half of the game at Camp Nou on Monday, which ended in a 1-1 draw as Barca suffered a 5-1 aggregate defeat.
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Barca coach Luis Enrique has even more defensive problems as his side look for revenge on league duty.
Barcelona have announced that they plan to appeal against the four-match ban handed down from the Spanish FA to Gerard Pique after he was said to have insulted an assistant referee in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
The coach must also decide who to play in goal.
The translation is more shocking than if the phrase were heard in Spain, but not by much, and the action was expected to cost Pique to not only miss Barcelona’s season opener against Athletic Bilbao this Sunday at San Mames, but a ban of up to 12 games as the rules explicitly state that a player found to be shouting obscenities or insults at the referee “could carry a ban from four to 12 games”.
The fight for the top four promises to be just as competitive as the record points tally it took Valencia to snatch the fourth Champions League spot last season.
Moreover, Los Che have lost their most important player from last season in Nicolas Otamendi. “For the moment, we need to train and work hard.” said Ter Stegen.
Athletic have injury problems of their own with Inaki Williams and Ander Iturraspe doubtful and they could pay physically for a busy schedule over the past week as, after a parade through Bilbao to celebrate their first trophy for 31 years, the team were back in action in the Europa League on Thursday away to MSK Zilina in Slovakia.
Ahead of the start of the Spanish league season this weekend, AFP sports looks at the five sides best placed to upset Barcelona and Real Madrid’s dominance of La Liga this season. Inspirational Argentine coach Diego Simeone has overseen some canny business in the latest transfer window, including luring Colombia striker Jackson Martinez from Porto. Valencia are also on track for a return to the Champions League after a 3-1 win over Monaco on Wednesday in the first-leg playoff for Europe’s top-tier tournament.
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Malaga and Sevilla have the honours in getting the league season underway as they face off on Friday night in an Andalusian derby.
