Piqué laments Villa and Puyol absence in the 2012 Euro

The Barça defender, who is with the Spanish national team for the 2012 Euro in Poland and Ukraine, believes that the absence of both Carles Puyol and David Villa will be felt by Spain's team

“I’m obviously going to miss Puyol, he’s almost a brother. However, there are quality players that can fill his absence,” said the player

Piqué also praised Jordi Alba: “he’s an amazing player, he surprised me. He’s flying in our training sessions, he’s small but very fast. He knows how to attack and defend”

“I’m obviously going to miss Puyol, he’s almost a brother. However, there are quality players that can fill his absence”
“I get along great with Ramos, everything is always exaggerated from the outside"
“Jordi Alba is an amazing player, he surprised me. He’s flying in our training sessions, he’s small but very fast. He knows how to attack and defend”
This Friday at noon the FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué held a press conference in the Polish town of Gniewino, where the Spanish national team is preparing for their EURO 2012 debut. The Azulgrana defender admitted that it will be difficult for him to play without Carles Puyol, the man that usually lines up in the middle of the defence with him for FC Barcelona and Spain. “I’m obviously going to miss Puyol, he’s almost a brother. However, there are quality players that can fill his absence.” Piqué is aware that the absences of the Barça captain and David Villa, both of whom are injured, are significant for the team managed by Vicente del Bosque. “We're going to miss Puyol and Villa because they are important players for the national team.”

No problems with Sergio Ramos

With Puyol out of action this summer, the starting defenders in Spain’s back line will most likely be Piqué and Sergio Ramos. The Azulgrana defender took the opportunity to rubbish the rumours that he doesn’t get along with his Real Madrid counterpart. “I get along great with Ramos, everything is always exaggerated from the outside. People also said that I didn’t get along with Guardiola all season long and that wasn’t true.”

Praise for Jordi Alba

In recent days there has been a lot of speculation linking Jordi Alba to FC Barcelona. Piqué was quick to heap praise on the young defender:“he’s an amazing player, he surprised me. He’s flying in our training sessions, he’s small but very fast. He knows how to attack and defend.”