I am not just talking about this game. Do you think Pique has been anywhere near consistent this season?
Man utd don't have any targetman that can give us trouble at headers. Their threat is chicharito, who is fast as hell. Think about it, Pique has been troubled by every pacey player he has played this season. And Masch has been awesome in these past few months, he's far pacier than Pique and can make last ditch challenges as well. Do you really see a reason to play an inconsistent defender who is troubled by pace against a team who's main threat is pace and counter attack? Should our team selection be based on star name or merit? If you believe in selection by merit then you should have no complaints at all.
Now, please counter these arguments before you think I'm just fishing for reactions.
How can you say Pique is slow? Please, somebody, name a central defender MUCH faster than Gerard Pique. Hell, to look even look half-way decent in a Barca defence requires lightning pace. To assess Pique's merits on his pace is a nonissue as far as I'm concerned. And did you watch Manchester Utd humiliate AC Milan at the San Siro earlier this season? Did you happen to see Rooney score two headers against Thiago Silva and Nesta, a defensive partnership that devout watchers of Calcio would claim to be the best in the world? How can that be NO threat?
Yes, Masch has been great cover these past few months, but Puyol and Pique is a proven success - a World Cup and treble winning partnership.
I'd also like to add that our defence has been a game of musical chairs in 2011. Ask yourself who has been the ONE constant at CB? That's right, Gerard fucking Pique. Where are we? Copa finalists, League winners, Cl finalists (possible winners).
People are acting right now as if Puyol is incapable of mistake. Does no one remember the last game Puyol played before his injury? Abidal and Puyol started and Barca looked ragged at the back. Puyol came off, Pique came on, and all was well. I'd say Abidal has been Barca's best CB this year, but Pique has not been less than solid.