Piqué revives the “manita” ahead of the Clásico against Real Madrid

Gerard Piqué has stirred the rivalry with Real Madrid ahead of the Clásico by bringing back an old photograph. Barcelona host their rivals at 21:00 on Sunday in the 10th round of La Liga. The fixture brings the leaders up against their nearest opponent in this contest: Barcelona have 27 points, while Real Madrid have 21 and sit third, behind second-placed Atlético Madrid on 22.

Piqué’s chosen image recalls Barcelona’s “manita”, the five-finger gesture associated with Barcelona’s fifth goal in the first Clásico managed by José Mourinho, now Real Madrid’s coach. In the video, Piqué prints the photograph and then makes the gesture. He accompanies the clip with a short phrase: “Clásico week.” The post brings that moment back into view as the two sides prepare to meet again.

The table gives the match added significance: after nine games, Real Madrid are six points behind Barcelona. Their La Liga record stands at seven wins, no draws and two defeats, with 23 goals scored and nine conceded. In their last five league matches, they have won four and lost one.

Their figures also differ by venue. Real Madrid have won all five of their home league matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding three. Away from home, they have two wins and two defeats in four games, with six goals scored and six conceded. Across their La Liga matches, they average 2.56 goals scored and 1.00 conceded per game.

It is against this league-table backdrop that Piqué’s post marks Clásico week: Barcelona host a third-placed Madrid side on Sunday, six points off the top.