Gerard Pique given four-match ban for verbally abusing official

Barcelona will begin their title defence with a visit to the San Mames this Sunday.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is facing a ban that could see him miss up to 12 matches after being sent off in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club Monday for hurling vile insults toward a linesman.

Barcelona’s defense were left in tatters last week as they succumbed to a 4-0 humbling by Athletic Bilbao.

After Friday’s defeat, Barca coach Luis Enrique fielded his strongest available side with Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Gerard Pique back on the pitch, while Claudio Bravo replacing Ter Stegen in goal.

Barcelona will try to complete a remarkable comeback as it hosts Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

The La Liga champions, who were thrashed 0-4 in the first leg, battled to a 1-1 draw in front of their home crowd as Bilbao ran away with a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao 2015 (start time 1 pm PST) features two teams with contrasting recent soccer records.

Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo wrote in his post-match report that Pique had used insulting language to his assistant, which the player later refuted in a statement.

“The ban worries me because Pique is an important player”.

Barca continued to push forward in the hope of building on their one goal lead, but were caught out 15 minutes from time as Aduriz followed up to score after his initial effort was saved by Bravo. The referee also dismissed the Spanish global two seasons ago during a game with Sporting Gijon, with Pique claiming the decision had been “premeditated”.

“We’ve worked very hard this pre-season and after the game against Barca I think there is more confidence”.

“The final ended when Gerard Pique was sent off. We remain a united group and we are certainly competitive”.

“You have to know how to win and lose”, the former Barca and Spain midfielder added.