體壇英語資訊：Pique in the spotlight ahead of Cup semi-finals

MADRID, Feb. 7 -- Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is the center of attention as his side prepares for Thursday's King's Cup semi-final return leg away to Valencia.

Pique is a doubt for the game as the result of a knee injury he picked up as the result of a bad challenge from Espanyol striker Gerard Moreno during Sunday's bad tempered Barcelona derby between the two sides.

The Barca defender had to listen to insulting songs about himself, his wife (the pop star Shakira) and his son during the game, but had his revenge when he scored the late goal which gave Barca a point.

He celebrated his goal by putting his finger to his lips in a 'shut-up' gesture, which has provoked the fury of Espanyol (who appear to have not heard the abuse hurled at the player and forgotten insults directed at him and his family in previous meetings).

Meanwhile Javier Tebas, the President of the Spanish Football League (LaLiga) said the organization would pass on the details of the incident to the Disciplinary Committee to see whether or not Pique could be punished, despite similar gestures from players at other clubs going unpunished in the past.

Wednesday saw Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu reflect this by commenting the 'shut-up' gesture was "normal."

"It's not the first time a player has silenced a stadium and we have had it ourselves in the Camp Nou," he commented, perhaps in reference to Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez who did the same thing when scoring in a 'Classico' in 1999.

In sporting terms, Pique's injury, combined with that of Thomas Vermaelen could hand Yerry Mina his Barcelona debut alongside Samuel Umtiti in the Barca defense, while Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto both return along with Ivan Rakitic and Leo Messi, all of whom were rested at the weekend.

Valencia's main issue is whether or not to risk Goncalo Guedes' fitness down the left wing or to play two full backs Tony Lato and Jose Gaya down the flank.

MADRID, Feb. 7 -- Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is the center of attention as his side prepares for Thursday's King's Cup semi-final return leg away to Valencia.

Pique is a doubt for the game as the result of a knee injury he picked up as the result of a bad challenge from Espanyol striker Gerard Moreno during Sunday's bad tempered Barcelona derby between the two sides.

The Barca defender had to listen to insulting songs about himself, his wife (the pop star Shakira) and his son during the game, but had his revenge when he scored the late goal which gave Barca a point.

He celebrated his goal by putting his finger to his lips in a 'shut-up' gesture, which has provoked the fury of Espanyol (who appear to have not heard the abuse hurled at the player and forgotten insults directed at him and his family in previous meetings).

Meanwhile Javier Tebas, the President of the Spanish Football League (LaLiga) said the organization would pass on the details of the incident to the Disciplinary Committee to see whether or not Pique could be punished, despite similar gestures from players at other clubs going unpunished in the past.

Wednesday saw Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu reflect this by commenting the 'shut-up' gesture was "normal."

"It's not the first time a player has silenced a stadium and we have had it ourselves in the Camp Nou," he commented, perhaps in reference to Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez who did the same thing when scoring in a 'Classico' in 1999.

In sporting terms, Pique's injury, combined with that of Thomas Vermaelen could hand Yerry Mina his Barcelona debut alongside Samuel Umtiti in the Barca defense, while Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto both return along with Ivan Rakitic and Leo Messi, all of whom were rested at the weekend.

Valencia's main issue is whether or not to risk Goncalo Guedes' fitness down the left wing or to play two full backs Tony Lato and Jose Gaya down the flank.