Gerard Pique to miss Barcelona and Valencia game next week

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Ernesto Valverde will a few problems to keep him occupied this week. Gerard Piqué, who went into this afternoon's meeting with Leganés on four yellow cards, picked up a fifth booking on 29 minutes for which means he will now miss next week's away trip to Valencia. Match official Alberto Undiano Mallenco dipped into his top pocket for his yellow card when Piqué grappled with Amrabat from behind. The decision enraged Valverde - as it didPiqué who was later seen mouthing to the ref that there was minimal contract as both teams made their way to the changing rooms at half-time.

So Piqué is suspended and Javier Mascherano remains out for a month with a hamstring tear which leaves Valverde with the bare minimum of options at the back next weekend at Mestalla.

The coach will only have Samuel Umtiti, who is also one booking away from suspension, and Thomas Vermaelen, a player who has been plagued with injuries since joining the club.

As if that's wasn't enough, Vermaelen played the full 90 minutes of Belgium's friendlies againstMexico and Japan. It has been a long, long while since Vermaelen has played three games in the space of 10 days...

 

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