Ronald Koeman cannot rely on Gerard Pique at Barcelona for the time being. The defender suffered a calf injury against Athletic Club (1-1) on Saturday, the club reported via official channels on Sunday afternoon after some medical tests in the morning. More studies need to be done to determine the exact damage in the calf.
Spanish media assume that Pique, who had to leave the field in Bilbao after less than half an hour of play, will have three to four weeks with the injury. The defender was also out for several months last season due to a knee injury. An annoying message for Koeman, who also saw in the extra time of the game how Eric García had to leave the field with a red card and can face a suspension.
Koeman will therefore have to choose a completely new duo in the heart of the defense next Sunday in the home game with Getafe. It is expected that the Dutchman will choose Ronald Araujo, who came in for Piqué on Saturday, and Clément Lenglet. Bringing Frenkie de Jong back to the defense does not seem to be an option for Koeman because Pedri was sent off on holiday just after Saturday and will therefore be missing in midfield against Getafe.
Koeman also cannot rely on the injured Sergio Aguero, Ousmane Dembélé, Óscar Mingueza, Ansu Fati and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen for the time being. Philippe Coutinho will probably get the green light from the medical staff next week. Miralem Pjanic, Samuel Umtiti and Álex Collado are not in Koeman’s plans and will most likely be transferred in the next nine days.