Barcelona shock as Pique makes miraculous recovery to be part of PSG squad

Gerard Pique has miraculously recovered from a knee injury to be part of Barcelona squad for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.

The defender suffered ligament injuries in Barca’s loss to league leaders Atletico Madrid at the end of November and there were initially fears that he would miss the rest of the season. However, less than 90 days later, Pique was called up by Ronald Koeman for the first leg of the round of 16 at Camp Nou despite the operation being refused late last year. Instead, Pique, who turned 34 earlier this month, opted for more conservative treatment and club sources say medical staff were “stunned” by the speed of his return to form. .

Koeman announced on Monday that the center-back could be available against PSG and said if he was in the squad it would be because he was in good shape to start the game if necessary.

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Pique returned to full training at the end of last week, although he is lacking in fitness for the game, having not played a competitive game since losing 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on November 21.

The temptation to use Pique from the start against the French champions on Tuesday increased due to the news that Ronald Araujo has been left out. Araujo sprained his ankle in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg loss to Sevilla last Wednesday and failed to recover in time to face PSG.

Barca are also without right-back Sergi Roberto and forwards Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho.

PSG, meanwhile, are missing Neymar and Angel Di Maria due to injury, but coach Mauricio Pochettino is hoping Marco Verratti can play after shaking a blow to train on Monday.