Gerard Piqué will meet against Inter Milan in his 100th match with Barca in the Champions League. Taking advantage of this event, the Barça center has granted an interview to UEFA, where he reviews his career in the maximum continental competition.
On the fact of reaching his first centenary as Barça player in the Champions League, the Catalan central defender explains that “I feel nostalgic and, of course, very happy because I had a very important career”.
Throughout the conversation, Piqué also talks about his relationship with Puyol, his tradition of cutting the net of goal in the finals and moments spent in the Olympic Stadium in Rome. “It is one of the places where I have lived the best and the worst moments in the Champions League,” confesses the central referring to the victory in the final against Manchester United in 2009 and the defeat in the quarterfinals of last season.
With four Champions in his palmarés
In addition, the Barça defender speaks of the historical relationship that Barça has had with the Champions League, where he has had a leading role, since he has won this competition three times with Barça (2009, 2011 and 2015) and a fourth with the Manchester United (2008).
In this sense, the central azulgrana has also had a memory for the coach that made him debut in the top competition, Alex Ferguson. “When someone like him gives you such praise, it means that we have achieved great things with Barça,” said the Barça player.
Gerard Piqué explains that the experience he has gained in the Champions League has made him grow “on an individual level” and that he has been able to experience “very emotional and special” situations, such as the moment when Abidal lifted the cup in the Wembley final the year 2011. Regarding this year’s edition, Piqué says that “we know it is very difficult, but we have the necessary equipment to achieve it”.