Barcelona defence in tonight’s Champions League match against PSG has been given a big boost with the return of Gerard Pique after suffering knee ligament damage for three months.
Ronald Koeman included the 34-year-old in his final squad for the Blaugrana’s first leg last-16 clash with PSG set to take place at the Camp Nou.
Pique was forced to undergo an extensive rehabilitation programme after leaving the pitch following a collision with Angel Correa during Barca’s defeat to Atletico Madrid on November 21, 2020.
The veteran defender has sat out 14 La Liga fixtures since then, including last weekend’s 5-1 win over Alaves, leaving Koeman with only Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araujo to call upon at centre-back.
Pique has also missed Copa del Rey wins over Cornella, Rayo Vallecano and Granada, along with both of Barca’s matches in the Supercopa de Espana and their final three Champions’ League group-stage outings against Dynamo Kiev, Ferencvaros and Juventus.
Tonight’s match sees PSG star man Neymar missing in action as the Brazilian was ruled out for one month after suffering a groin problem but could return for the second leg on 10 March.
