KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona defeated Osasuna 2-1 in the league Tuesday
  • Lewandowski and Pique received red cards in the game
  • Raphinha and Pedri were Barcelona's goal scorers

Defender Gerard Pique received a red card on his final appearance for FC Barcelona on Tuesday.

The incident took place in Barcelona's away La Liga game against Osasuna. The Catalans came from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory at El Sadar Stadium, thanks to goals from Pedri and Raphinha.

Just 30 minutes into the first half, Barcelona suffered a massive setback when their key striker Robert Lewandowski was slapped with a red card after picking up two yellow cards. Lewandowski was already on a booking when he clashed with David Garcia and looked pretty annoyed as he departed the pitch. It was the Polish striker's first red card with Barcelona.

At the half-time break at El Sadar Stadium, Pique, who was on the bench, jumped onto the pitch to question referee Gil Manzano over his decision to send off Lewandowski. The center-back is believed to have chased the referee down the tunnel to complain about his decision to ignore the foul on Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso.

Manzano did not take Pique's reaction well and showed the retiring player a red card immediately. As a result, Pique was not allowed to sit on the bench for the second half. Pique certainly didn't want to end his soccer career this way.

It was not the first time that Pique had confronted the same referee. During an El Classico match against Real Madrid in April last year, Pique went after Manzano over his decision not to add more stoppage time. Just like in the latest Osasuna match, the center-back was on the bench against Real Madrid but that did not stop the Spanish defender from going after the referee for answers.

Gerard Pique (L) and Philippe Coutinho at the end of Barcelona's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich that sent them packing from the Champions League
Gerard Pique has been associated with Barcelona for over a decade now AFP / Christof STACHE

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez said the red card to Lewandowski was a "harsh" decision.

"The sending off... my opinion is that it is harsh. What I say does not count. The opinion that matters is that of the referee, who will not speak today either. I think he should have to come out here to explain himself because we have a lot at stake," Xavi told reporters after Barcelona's win.

With 37 points from 14 games, Barcelona are five points clear at the top of the La Liga table. But second-placed Real Madrid still have a game in hand. Los Blancos are scheduled to host Cadiz at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday before the international break begins for the FIFA World Cup.

Soccer