In a totally unexpected post-Barcelona vs Sevilla match announcement on Friday night, Barcelona star Gerard Pique clashed with boss Quique Setien on their personal opinions of how the title clash between Barca and the Los Blancos will end up.
Barcelona stalwart and defender Gerard Pique has actually conceded that the final La Liga title glory will be Real Madrid’s after his side were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Sevilla last night. However manager Quique Setien strongly begs to differ in opinion.
The Catalans are still having the advantage with three points clear at the top of the table although Real Madrid still have a game in hand where Zinedine Zidane’s side can pull level at the summit with a victory over Real Sociedad tomorrow.
With nine tense matches remaining in the title battle after this gameweek, Pique just cannot envisage rivals Los Blancos dropping any more points in the final run-in as he predicts Barca’s arch-rivals to pip them to the finishing post.
“I think it’s going to be very difficult to win this league,” a dejected Pique told Movistar.
“It’s not in our hands anymore. We’re going to give everything possible, but I don’t imagine many points are going to be dropped.
“Seeing what we’ve seen in the last two rounds of fixtures, it will be complicated.
“It’s difficult to see Madrid dropping points – and we have not been able to (beat Sevilla). After three games now, it’s going to be difficult to see (the top teams) losing points, but we will try.”
Reflecting on the issue, Setien is wont to believe that frustration had set in at a high pitch when Pique was quizzed post-match on the La Liga title battle. He stuck to his guns and firmly believes his side is still in a good position to finish top at the pinnacle, saying:
“I think that about Pique is the frustration of the moment. We were very confident because we had 30 very good minutes at the beginning of the game and then we got messy.
“In the second half, we lost balls that gave them life.
“Tomorrow, he will surely think differently because I am sure that Madrid will not win everything.”
Next up for Barcelona is a host tie against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday and the Blaugrana boss is eager to see a positive reaction.
“The rivals always have things to say, there are very tough confrontations and you have to be optimistic,” Setien added.
“We don’t depend on ourselves, but you have to be optimistic.”
Way to go, Setien – and shame on you for your pessimistic pronouncement of doom, Pique!