PIQUE IS BACK

Barcelona have been boosted by the news that defender Gerard Pique has began training ahead of the crucial run-up of fixtures both in the league and the Champions League.

Gerard Pique has been unavailable for selection after the 3-1 win over AC Milan in the quarter-finals. Barcelona will be facing a number of important matches including the likes of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea and the El Clasico at the Camp Nou.

Without the presence of the influential Gerard Pique, Barcelona have shipped in a number of goals over the last couple of matches. Hence, they were certainly worried about the prospect of losing these important matches.

Now, the defender has given Barcelona a major boost by starting to train ahead of these major matches. Chelsea and Barcelona will once again be renewing their rivalry this season in the Champions League semi-final. According to the latest champions league betting, Barcelona will be coming into the match as the clear favourites to go to the final in Munich.

Barcelona were without Gerard Pique in the matches against Real Zaragoza and Getafe. He also missed the match against Levante. Aside from the match against Getafe, Barcelona struggled to contain their opponents from scoring. So far, the former Manchester United defender has made 35 appearances for Barcelona and has scored two goals in the process.

Barcelona will be welcoming Real Madrid to the Camp Nou for the final league El Clasico of the season. Barcelona currently trail leaders Real Madrid by four points and they have the opportunity to reduce the gap to just one point after the match.

This is certainly one of the toughest fixtures for Barcelona, but they have come out on the winning side on numerous occasions in recent seasons. Real Madrid will be coming on the back of a 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.