Gerard Pique is back to his best. Imperial. Commanding

Gerard Pique has recovered his best form. After a year and a half of crisis, the Barcelona centre-back made a sincere act of contrition during pre-season. "I am no longer among the best centre-backs in Europe," he said. Since then he has tried to revert the situation through hard work and, above all, concentration. Pique has returned to be an essential footballer for Barcelona. And the team has noticed.

Gerard Pique goes out on to the pitch now with absolute confidence. "It's vital for a footballer," he said on Wednesday. It's true. He looks imperial. Without doubts. Ready for anything. Convinced that nothing will fail. He looks faster. Daring. Commanding. He directs the team from the bacl, and he scores goals. "When I go out to play, I feel that I can with everything [I have]," he said. 

Gerard Pique is a fundamental player in Barcelona's plans. Back when Tito Vilanova was Pep Guardiola's second-in-command, he nailed it. "Everything we have achieved would not have been possible without Pique," he said.