Barcelona can compete and have fun without Lionel Messi, according to Gerard Pique.
Despite Lionel Messi’s departure, Gerard Pique has said that Barcelona would “have fun this year” and “fight for all the titles.”
In their opening encounter of the new LaLiga season, Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 4-2 on Sunday.
Pique scored first, Martin Braithwaite scored goals, and Sergi Roberto scored in injury time after Julen Lobete with Mikel Oyarzabal has pulled La Real back into the game.
Pique told Movistar, “I don’t have to explain what Leo symbolizes because we all know.
” “He is the most significant player in the history of both this club and football. But all things must pass, and we must keep moving forward.
I believe we are at a high level, and we will be a strong competitor.
I’m certain that we’ll fight it out for all of the prizes to the finish.
“It’s true that without Leo, we may not have the same level of skill as previously.
However, the team has shown that we are all in this together. We have goals upfront, and I believe we were excellent at the back, despite the error and the free-kick [that Real Sociedad scored].
“La Real performed well but did not generate many opportunities. This year, I believe we’ll have a good time.”
Pique’s goal came a day after the club announced that the center-back had accepted a “substantial” wage reduction in order to keep new acquisitions Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia within the league’s tight salary limit.
Depay and Garcia were just included in LaLiga’s official list of newcomers on Saturday night and early Sunday morning, respectively, yet they both started for Barca on Sunday evening.
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Pique said that other club leaders Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, and Jordi Alba will take pay cuts as Barca adjusts to their new financial reality.
with the club’s salary limit likely to be approximately €400 million lower this season than it was two years ago.
“I believe [the salary reduction] was what I had to do,” Pique stated.
“I want to emphasize that we’ve spoken with the other captains about the salary reduction, and I’m certain they’ll follow suit soon; it’s simply a matter of time.
” Because of the registration problem, I had to be the first to complete it fast.
But this is a family, and we’re all in this together. The captains have all had the aim from the beginning to adapt to the needs of the club, and that’s the choice we’ve made, and we’re proud of it.”
After media rumors that Alba had refused to negotiate a salary reduction, the Camp Nou fans booed him on Sunday.
“There are misunderstandings,” Pique said. “I’ve spoken to Sergi, Busi, and Jordi, and we’ve all agreed to attempt to achieve an arrangement.
” They needed someone to declare it official with hours before the league began so that more players could be registered, but I know the others are going to do the same.
“In certain cases, the information individuals get isn’t entirely accurate or nuanced. I wanted to emphasize that this isn’t just about me; it’s about all of us; the club has requested an effort, and they’re going to deliver.”
After more than a year of behind-closed-doors games owing to the coronavirus epidemic, a crowd of 20,384 was permitted into Camp Nou on Sunday.
In the aftermath of Messi’s contentious departure, Barca coach Ronald Koeman thanked the supporters for their support.
“There were barely 20,000 people there,” he added, “yet they assisted us.
” “It’s critical to have the support of the supporters.” It was a great game, and the fans helped to project a positive picture.
This is the route to take. After what occurred with Messi, it’s important to reassure the supporters.”
Source:
Gerard Pique on Lionel Messi exit: Barcelona can compete, have fun without him
