COMMENT: The much-maligned centre-back is on song after a difficult couple of seasons and has been key to the Catalans' recent renaissance
Things weren't looking good for Gerard Pique. Struggling for form and benched by coach Luis Enrique late last year, the defender's future at Barcelona appeared uncertain. But now he is back on song and his assured performances in recent weeks have given the Catalans a new-found and much-needed solidity in defence.
Pique was left out for three games in a row by Luis Enrique in November, punished by his coach after he was caught by television cameras using his mobile phone in the second half of Barca's Supercopa de Catalunya game against Espanyol in Girona.
That had followed an incident with a stink bomb in pre-season. Luis Enrique was not impressed.
Back then, the centre-back himself admitted he was no longer the player he had been in previous seasons.
"I am not one of the best defenders in the world right now," he said. "Getting back to being one of the best is a challenge. I have to get that back, but I am sure that with Luis Enrique I can achieve that."
Finally, he has. The defender was caught out by Giovani dos Santos in the recent league game against Villarreal, but has been consistently excellent in recent weeks, easing concerns in what has been a problem position for the Catalan club since the decline of Carles Puyol and Pique's own distractions.
The 28-year-old was at his best again on Wednesday as Barca overcame Villarreal 3-1 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Camp Nou and scored the third goal with a header from a corner - his fifth of the season.
Pique was left out for three games in a row by Luis Enrique in November, punished by his coach after he was caught by television cameras using his mobile phone in the second half of Barca's Supercopa de Catalunya game against Espanyol in Girona.
That had followed an incident with a stink bomb in pre-season. Luis Enrique was not impressed.
Back then, the centre-back himself admitted he was no longer the player he had been in previous seasons.
"I am not one of the best defenders in the world right now," he said. "Getting back to being one of the best is a challenge. I have to get that back, but I am sure that with Luis Enrique I can achieve that."
Finally, he has. The defender was caught out by Giovani dos Santos in the recent league game against Villarreal, but has been consistently excellent in recent weeks, easing concerns in what has been a problem position for the Catalan club since the decline of Carles Puyol and Pique's own distractions.
The 28-year-old was at his best again on Wednesday as Barca overcame Villarreal 3-1 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Camp Nou and scored the third goal with a header from a corner - his fifth of the season.
"It's not for me to say," Pique replied to the Canal Plus reporter after the game when asked if he is now one of the world's best once again. "But I feel comfortable, I feel good and I'm happy. The game is open for the return at El Madrigal."
It shouldn't have been. A missed penalty by Neymar means Barca take a two-goal lead to the return next month when it could and should have been three. Lionel Messi, who won the spot-kick, let the Brazilian take the penalty and the 23-year-old saw his effort saved by Sergio Asenjo.
"We make the list of penalty takers, but then the players decide," Luis Enrique said afterwards. "But it is a good result and we will go to El Madrigal to win the game."
And on Pique's performance, the Asturian added: "His contribution is very impressive. The way he brings the ball out of defence is excellent. He is a vital player."
Indeed, with Pique often absent from the starting line-up earlier this season, Barca missed the Catalan's ability to bring the ball out from the back and turn defence into attack. They suffered at both ends. And with his defensive displays now much improved, the Blaugrana look much more secure when they charge forward in numbers.
His revival has matched the team's renaissance and, after a troublesome start to the season, Luis Enrique's side are now just 180 minutes from a first trophy since 2013. Pique, undoubtedly, is integral to that turnaround.
It shouldn't have been. A missed penalty by Neymar means Barca take a two-goal lead to the return next month when it could and should have been three. Lionel Messi, who won the spot-kick, let the Brazilian take the penalty and the 23-year-old saw his effort saved by Sergio Asenjo.
"We make the list of penalty takers, but then the players decide," Luis Enrique said afterwards. "But it is a good result and we will go to El Madrigal to win the game."
And on Pique's performance, the Asturian added: "His contribution is very impressive. The way he brings the ball out of defence is excellent. He is a vital player."
Indeed, with Pique often absent from the starting line-up earlier this season, Barca missed the Catalan's ability to bring the ball out from the back and turn defence into attack. They suffered at both ends. And with his defensive displays now much improved, the Blaugrana look much more secure when they charge forward in numbers.
His revival has matched the team's renaissance and, after a troublesome start to the season, Luis Enrique's side are now just 180 minutes from a first trophy since 2013. Pique, undoubtedly, is integral to that turnaround.
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