A back three of Alves-Pique-Mathieu would be a disaster waiting to happen. If you're playing three at the back, you can't have a wingback in there. All three need to be genuine defenders. Alves is not that guy. It would make more sense to use Bartra instead of Alves in that formation.
Daamn. Lucho knows what he is doing. Some new things Tata never did
Do you guys honestly believe these players would leave ahead of a Champions League final just to go on a training camp ahead of the Copa America? :s