Xavi considering freezing Gerard Pique out of Clasico

The painful draw against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou and Barça's defensive debacle will have immediate consequences. Xavi Hernández is clear that adjustments must be made despite the injuries that the team is accumulating and the coach is considering benching Gerard Piqué again to pick a defence where he will prioritise speed. Piqué was at fault for some of the Inter goals and also made mistakes that ended up with shots being saved by Ter Stegen. For Pique to be benched, it depends on the recovery of Jules Kounde, who is aiming to be back for the game.

Xavi knows that the team is going through difficult times and that drastic decisions must be made. The coach has never been in favour of forcing players to come back from injury quickly, but the current circumstances are tough and Koundé will play if he is ready. The Frenchman is already training at a good pace and aims to be fit, so he will start if his feelings continue to be good.

The presence of Koundé will send Piqué to the bench. The Frenchman could play at right back with Eric García and Marcos Alonso as centre-backs, while at left-back, Xavi would have to decide whether he plays with Balde or Jordi Alba. Another option being considered is for Balde to be a right-back and Koundé to play as a central defender alongside Eric, while Marcos Alonso would move to the left-back spot.