"Do not put Him against Chelsea" Piqué conspires with Messi at Barça

The Catalan and the Argentine lead a rebellion in the Barça dressing room

Gerard Piqué is very clear: this is not the time to do nonsense. The game against Chelsea at Stanford Bridge is vital to be able to move to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and the Catalan wants Ernesto Valverde to bet on the best possible eleven.What's more, Piqué has aligned with Leo Messi and the two, with the ok of the rest of the heavyweights of the Culé squad, have sent a very direct message to their coach: "do not put it against Chelsea". ? Neither more nor less than André Gomes.

Key quote It's time to face one of the most important games of the season for FC Barcelona.


After a stellar start to the season, with an unstoppable streak in the League of 24 matches without knowing the defeat, he plays the first big test: Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge are a tough opponent to gnaw for their style of defensive play and specialized in counterattack. The strength that Ernesto Valverde prints to the team will be vital.

There is no doubt in the eleven that will put the Txingurri. From the dressing room, with Leo Messi at the head, they have it more than clear.

In recent weeks, Valverde has been allowed to rest some players and opportunities to others. He has been able to experiment.

To this day, doubts have vanished. Although Barça is not going through its best moment of play - two draws against Espanyol and Getafe plus the suffering victory in Eibar - the squad is confident of showing its best version in London.

Dembelé is not for the owner's play

And Messi has already made it clear among his men of confidence who are not to play at the start: André Gomes, Paco Alcácer and Ousmane Dembelé .


The French end is not fine after his bad game in Getafe and against Eibar , Valverde did not give him a minute. As for Gomes, he is the worst partner of Luis Suárez, who does not want him on the pitch because he does not give good balls to finish or combine well between lines.

Nor will Coutinho, who can not play in the Champions League for having played this season at Liverpool, nor Nelson Semedo. The Portuguese side is the only one sanctioned.

Lucas Digne will not play either because he does not live up to a match of these characteristics yet. And the central ones will be Piqué and Umtiti, although Vermaelen has returned to the list.

Obviously the lead is Messi and Luis Suarez. While the only doubts lie in the center of the field. But Busquets, Rakitic and Iniesta are fixed.

The only doubt: Paulinho

The only surprise could be the entry of Aleix Vidal as right end - Messi sees it better than Dembelé at the moment - but the reality is that Paulinho will play if nothing strange happens.

The Brazilian media has lowered the level during the last weeks. Valverde has also been dosing it. But against Chelsea it will be at the start.

Although it is difficult to create in attack and does not shine with the ball on the feet, it provides a lot of restraint, something that will be vital to stop Chelsea's counterattacks . The key is to recover many balls.