Gerard Pique denied Barcelona farewell after being sent off against Osasuna

Defender, named among substitutes, remonstrated with referee at half time before being sent off as Barca stage fightback

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Osasuna v FC Barcelona - El Sadar Stadium, Pamplona, Spain - November 8, 2022 FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique during the warm up before the match REUTERS / Vincent West

Barcelona's Gerard Pique on his phone before the match. Reuters

Barcelona's Gerard Pique, left, takes part in the warmup. AP Photo

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. EPA

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique warms up ahead of the match against Osasuna. EPA

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski fouls Osasuna's David Garcia before being shown a red card. Reuters

Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski reacts as he is sent off. AFP

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski with coach Xavi after being sent off. Reuters

Barcelona's Pedri, right, celebrates with teammate Ousmane Dembele after scoring his team's equaliser against Osasuna. AFP

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Pedri celebrates. AFP

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Pedri celebrates after scoring his team's first goal. AFP

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP

Barcelona's Gavi and Raphinha celebrate. AFP

Gerard Pique's last match for Barcelona ended in ignominy on Tuesday when the defender was shown a red card for remonstrating with the referee during the team's 2-1 win at Osasuna.

Robert Lewandowski was also shown a red card during the first half of a bad-tempered match in which Barca trailed to a sixth-minute David Garcia header before second-half goals from Pedri and Raphinha secured victory.

Pique, 35, announced last week that he was calling time on a glittering career after the Liga match against Osasuna where he was named amongst the substitutes by head coach Xavi.

Barca were incensed by what they perceived was a foul on Marcos Alonso in the buildup to Osasuna's opener and Lewandowski's sending off for a second bookable offence in the 31st minute

Pique sought out referee Jesus Gil Manzano on the pitch as the players and officials headed down the tunnel for half time and was shown a red card for taking his protests too far.

The referee's report claimed Pique said, "You are the referee who has most screwed Barcelona by some distance" before hurling an obscenity at the official.

It meant Pique was denied a farewell appearance on the pitch following his emotional send off at Camp Nou on Saturday in Barca's 2-0 La Liga win over Almeria.

Pedri equalised from a rebound three minutes after the break and Raphinha came off the bench to score Barca's winner five minutes from full time, with a brilliant dipping header from outside the box that looped over the goalkeeper into the net.

Barca ratings vs Osasuna

The win ensured Barca will go into the World Cup break top of the standings on 37 points but the victory was overshadowed by Pique and Lewandowski's red cards.

Poland striker Lewandowski was shown his first yellow card for dragging back Nacho Vidal in the 11th minute and 20 minutes later he received his marching orders after charging with his forearm in the face of Garcia.

It was only the second red card of Lewandowski's career, almost 10 years after he was sent off in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund against Hamburg in February 2013.

It was an ill-tempered game, with both teams given four bookings each. Barcelona manager Xavi also received a yellow card following several outbursts at the referee.

"I'm proud of my team because they fought bravely against a though opponent and questionable decisions by the official," coach Xavi told Movistar Plus.

"I think the referee was too rigorous with Lewandowski. I wish the referees would speak about their decisions and explain themselves."

Barcelona sit five points ahead second-placed Real Madrid, who will host second-bottom Cadiz on Thursday.

Osasuna are sixth on 23 points.

Pique's career in pictures