*flexes translation muscles* Haven't done this in a while. OK, let's go. lavanguardia.com/deportes/20201…
Q: How do you fell? Why have you been so silent?
Gerard Piqué: I'm very well. The end of last season was dramatic and I needed time to digest it. I used the days off to reset. It's about starting over again.
Gerard Piqué: I'm very well. The end of last season was dramatic and I needed time to digest it. I used the days off to reset. It's about starting over again.
Q: How is working with Koeman?
GP: The feeling is very good. The coach uses very direct messages that the squad appreciated and the amount of work has increased. We've started the season well, the defeat against Getafe was unexpected. Let's see what happens in El Clásico
GP: The feeling is very good. The coach uses very direct messages that the squad appreciated and the amount of work has increased. We've started the season well, the defeat against Getafe was unexpected. Let's see what happens in El Clásico
Q: Do you feel different now? Do you still believe the words you said after the defeat in Lisbon?
GP: When something like that happens, something that will live forever in the history of the club, the executives have to take decisions.
GP: When something like that happens, something that will live forever in the history of the club, the executives have to take decisions.
To look at oneself and see what needs to change, because it's clear that the road we were one was not the right one. You can lose, but never like that. I still firmly believe what I said then.
Q: Did you really think about leaving the club?
GP: If the board or the coach would have told me that they didn't count on me I was ok with that. The club is bigger than anyone. That's what I felt and I still think that way.
GP: If the board or the coach would have told me that they didn't count on me I was ok with that. The club is bigger than anyone. That's what I felt and I still think that way.
Q: These changes that you were asking for in all areas of the club. Did they arrive?
GP: There were a lot of bad habits that needed profound change. It's true that some things have and maybe you can't change everything at once, but you can tell things are being done differently.
GP: There were a lot of bad habits that needed profound change. It's true that some things have and maybe you can't change everything at once, but you can tell things are being done differently.
Q: When did things start going wrong?
GP: We touched the sky with the treble in 2015 and from there on the club has been going down instead of up and I think that tendency has been clear to see.
GP: We touched the sky with the treble in 2015 and from there on the club has been going down instead of up and I think that tendency has been clear to see.
We reached the bottom with the 2-8 and we all needed to do a rest to see what was best for the club. To humble oneself, work together and know that no one is irreplaceable.
Q: Was changing the coach mid season (Valverde) a mistake?
GP: It's easy to comment on that seeing how things turned out. We won't ever know what would have happened, but for me, to fire the coach that you won 2 leagues with when you were leading the table doesn't make sense
GP: It's easy to comment on that seeing how things turned out. We won't ever know what would have happened, but for me, to fire the coach that you won 2 leagues with when you were leading the table doesn't make sense
as a project, it doesn't seem coherent. I didn't think it was logical.
Q: But it was said that the captains were part of that decision.
GP: That's the crux of it. We get called into a meeting and get told something and it seems that we have to approve or disapprove of it. All we said was: "Gentlemen, this is a decision you have to make"
GP: That's the crux of it. We get called into a meeting and get told something and it seems that we have to approve or disapprove of it. All we said was: "Gentlemen, this is a decision you have to make"
Q: Do the players have too much influence?
GP: That's something that gets said a lot, I know. But a club works well and healthier for everyone when all the hierarchies are clear. The president has to be on top, then the coach has to rule over the players.
GP: That's something that gets said a lot, I know. But a club works well and healthier for everyone when all the hierarchies are clear. The president has to be on top, then the coach has to rule over the players.
When that hierarchy is broken it means things don't work. If we the players ever had any power it's because other people didn't want to use their own power.
Q: So what happened then?
GP: More than asking us to make the decision what they did was tell us before it was announced publicly. We weren't a part of the decision. Yes or no? That's for others to decide.
GP: More than asking us to make the decision what they did was tell us before it was announced publicly. We weren't a part of the decision. Yes or no? That's for others to decide.
Q: What relationship do you currently have with president Bartomeu?
GP: I don't want to get along badly with anyone, but there have been things...
GP: I don't want to get along badly with anyone, but there have been things...
Q: Can you give an example?
GP: The scandal with the social media accounts. As a Barça player I see that my club has spent money, money that they're now asking us for, to criticize not only people outside of the club that have a historic relationship with the club,
GP: The scandal with the social media accounts. As a Barça player I see that my club has spent money, money that they're now asking us for, to criticize not only people outside of the club that have a historic relationship with the club,
but active players. And that's brutal. I asked for explanations and he told me "Gerard, I didn't know". And I believe that. But then you see that the person who you know made the decision to hire out those companies for those services still works for the club.
Q: Jaume Masferrer.
GP: Exactly. And that hurts a lot. And I'm saying it here because I said it to the president personally. What can I said. Does it hurt? Yes. Can I do anything about it. No. My relationship with the president can be cordial but some things leave a mark.
GP: Exactly. And that hurts a lot. And I'm saying it here because I said it to the president personally. What can I said. Does it hurt? Yes. Can I do anything about it. No. My relationship with the president can be cordial but some things leave a mark.
Q: But that didn't prevent you from signing a new contract recently. Isn't that incongruous?
GP: No. It's very easy. The club tells me and other players that, due to the pandemic, it will suffer a lot from an economic standpoint and in that regard Barça is above anyone.
GP: No. It's very easy. The club tells me and other players that, due to the pandemic, it will suffer a lot from an economic standpoint and in that regard Barça is above anyone.
Barça has given me everything so I'm at the club's disposal. They told me that whatever salary I gave up this year I would be paid back in the future. We did the math and I proposed what reduction I was ok with.
Q: Isn't that a mortgage for the future board?
GP: I think this is helping the club. It's possible that the load will be heavier to carry in the future, but to make sure there is a future we need to do this now.
GP: I think this is helping the club. It's possible that the load will be heavier to carry in the future, but to make sure there is a future we need to do this now.
Q: On the one hand you agree to a new deal and on the other hand you sign a burofax with the squad refusing to take part in negotiations with the club...
GP: It's different. Personally every player can freely agree to the club's proposal.
GP: It's different. Personally every player can freely agree to the club's proposal.
But it's another thing for the club to force it and do it unilaterally and to act like they have. I'm completely opposed to that.
Q: The way they acted?
GP: They did it when everyone was away with their national teams,putting the players in the same pot as the other employees...
Q: The way they acted?
GP: They did it when everyone was away with their national teams,putting the players in the same pot as the other employees...
Q: And the response was this burofax.
GP: As a captain I have to defend the interests of the group so I sign that. We're all united. Then you get stories about a broken dressing room and all that...
GP: As a captain I have to defend the interests of the group so I sign that. We're all united. Then you get stories about a broken dressing room and all that...
Q: Have there been tensions between the players? In any group things happen when you talk about salary reductions.
GP: As captains all 4 of us are united and signed the burofax. We've had various meetings as a squad and explained everything and we're all in it together.
GP: As captains all 4 of us are united and signed the burofax. We've had various meetings as a squad and explained everything and we're all in it together.
Q: And how are things going on the pitch?
GP: We have new, very young players, we have older ones, but we get along well. It's a good group.
GP: We have new, very young players, we have older ones, but we get along well. It's a good group.
Q: There's a vote of no confidence process currently ongoing. Did you expect that?
GP: The conclusion to draw from that is that the club is more alive than ever. To get more than 20.000 signatures in the current circumstances seems insane.
GP: The conclusion to draw from that is that the club is more alive than ever. To get more than 20.000 signatures in the current circumstances seems insane.
The fact that there are so many people that are rebelling when you can't do anything because of the pandemic shows that the club isn't asleep.
Q: When would it be best to have the vote?
GP: I don't get involved in that. Whether it's now or in March. What should be highlighted is the fact that this mobilization happened. It shows that we belong to a community that is very much alive.
GP: I don't get involved in that. Whether it's now or in March. What should be highlighted is the fact that this mobilization happened. It shows that we belong to a community that is very much alive.
Q: Will you vote in the referendum?
GP: I would exercise my right as a club member.
Q: But you won't say which way you'll vote.
GP: (laughs) votes are confidential.
GP: I would exercise my right as a club member.
Q: But you won't say which way you'll vote.
GP: (laughs) votes are confidential.
Q: Let's get back to the pitch. Are there reasons for optimism?
GP: You have to be humble about it. Admit that in Europe there are teams that are better than us right now.
GP: You have to be humble about it. Admit that in Europe there are teams that are better than us right now.
We have new faces that are giving us vitality and the ability to press better. You can see that, I notice it, we're playing differently.
Q: Koeman says you play like you train. Were you not training before?
GP: We have to self critical. When you lose like we did against Bayern it's because you weren't following the routine right. It doesn't happen overnight.
GP: We have to self critical. When you lose like we did against Bayern it's because you weren't following the routine right. It doesn't happen overnight.
Q: Did you get to the point of imagining Messi with another shirt on? Did you send him any messages?
GP: I didn't talk to him a lot those days because I thought it was a very personal decision. I remember telling him that "It's only one more year and then new people will come..."
GP: I didn't talk to him a lot those days because I thought it was a very personal decision. I remember telling him that "It's only one more year and then new people will come..."
Q: How did you experience that whole process?
GP: Leo had earned the right to decide his future and if he thought that he had to leave... If I was president I would have done things differently.
GP: Leo had earned the right to decide his future and if he thought that he had to leave... If I was president I would have done things differently.
Q: In what way?
GP: This is a player that has given you so much for 16 years... You're obligated to reach a deal with him. It can't be that obvious that there's a big gulf between the sides.
GP: This is a player that has given you so much for 16 years... You're obligated to reach a deal with him. It can't be that obvious that there's a big gulf between the sides.
Q: Was sending a burofax the right move ?
GP: What I ask is different: How come the best player ever, that we've had the blessed fortune of enjoying, gets up one day and sends a burofax because you're not listening to him? It's all very shocking. What is happening?
GP: What I ask is different: How come the best player ever, that we've had the blessed fortune of enjoying, gets up one day and sends a burofax because you're not listening to him? It's all very shocking. What is happening?
Leo deserves everything. The new stadium should be named after him and then whatever else commercial name they want. We have to take better care of our legends, not to disparage them. It makes me angry.
Q: Do you think that's what happens?
GP: I'm surprised that people like Pep, Puyi, Xavi or Valdés aren't in the club. It means things aren't being done well. These are people that you should always keep within the club, they're part of our history, they did something great here.
GP: I'm surprised that people like Pep, Puyi, Xavi or Valdés aren't in the club. It means things aren't being done well. These are people that you should always keep within the club, they're part of our history, they did something great here.
They should be helping out, they should be here.
Q: Messi is still here. How do you see him?
GP: He's well. Very involved, excited. Leo is the mirror of the dressing room, he's the example to follow. If he's well it gives us more tranquility.
Q: Messi is still here. How do you see him?
GP: He's well. Very involved, excited. Leo is the mirror of the dressing room, he's the example to follow. If he's well it gives us more tranquility.
Q: There's a Clásico on Saturday. What's your feeling about it?
GP: We're coming from where we're coming, but I'm optimistic. Moderately optimistic.
GP: We're coming from where we're coming, but I'm optimistic. Moderately optimistic.
And done. Hope you enjoyed that. ☺️
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