Ousmane Dembele took another step on the road to redemption as Barcelona eased past Villarreal on Sunday to move back to the top of La Liga.&nbsp;

Dembele, dropped last month by coach Ernesto Valverde, was making his second consecutive start and repaid the faith by teeing up Gerard Pique's opening goal in a comfortable 2-0 win at the Camp Nou.&nbsp;

Carles Alena, the 20-year-old Spaniard also regarded as a star of the future, came off the bench to add a late flourish, chipping in his first La Liga goal and Barca's second after a defence-splitting pass from Lionel Messi.&nbsp;

"Alena has earned his step up to the first team," Valverde said.

A narrow victory puts Barca back at the top, in front of Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, who were each held to 1-1 draws earlier on Sunday, away to Alaves and Girona respectively.

Villarreal, meanwhile, stay 17th, with the pressure mounting on coach Javier Calleja, who has overseen only one league win since September.&nbsp;

Alena, a dainty attacking midfielder with 13 years training in Barca's academy, is likely to enjoy many more celebrations in front of the club's fans but for Dembele, the sense was time had been running out.&nbsp;

Valverde's patience with the 21-year-old appeared to be wearing thin when he was dropped against Real Betis three weeks ago but a late equaliser against Atletico earned a reprieve, and this was another lively performance.&nbsp;

"He played a great game and was one of our outstanding players," Valverde said. "He has so many assets - penetration, dribbling, shooting, speed, confidence, daring. Let's hope it continues like this."

Heartening too for Valverde will have been the clean sheet, Barcelona's first in the league since the second game of the season back in August.&nbsp;

An early Dembele shot might have gone in had it not been blocked by Santiago Caseres before the Frenchman turned provider, picking out Pique with a perfectly judged cross. Pique held off Victor Ruiz, perhaps even too vigorously, and headed in.&nbsp;

Villarreal, however, remained in touch, literally, as Pique was lucky to escape a harsher punishment when he threw a hand into Gerard Moreno's face. When Moreno was substituted he made sure to mutter towards Pique on his way off.

Barca finally put the result beyond doubt as Messi's brilliant pass from deep freed Alena, who chipped Sergio Asenjo like he had scored dozens of goals like this rather than just his first.

Little over 100 kilometres away in Catalonia, Atletico Madrid's troubles away from home had continued as they needed Diego Costa to help them snatch a late equaliser against Girona.

Costa's excellent run and first touch panicked Girona's Jonas Ramalho into poking into his own net at Montilivi after the in-form Cristhian Stuani had fired the hosts ahead from the penalty spot.

Avoiding defeat was enough to put a smile on Diego Simeone's face at full-time but his side have now won only once in seven league matches on the road this season.

"La Liga is barbaric," Simeone said afterwards. "There are no easy opponents."

Girona are seventh, with Stuani leading the way. His goal from the spot was his 12th of the campaign and enough to leave him top of the scoring charts, ahead of Iago Aspas and Messi.&nbsp;

Sevilla could have reclaimed their place at the summit but instead became the latest side to be thwarted at Mendizorrotza.&nbsp;

Alaves stormed ahead when Sevilla's Sergi Gomez played Jonathan Calleri onside by feathering the ball on its way through, with Jony waiting to finish at the back post.&nbsp;

Sevilla were incensed but still left with a point thanks to a smart finish from Wissam Ben Yedder. Alaves stay fourth, with the draw ensuring only two of the table's top six - Barca and Real Madrid - managed to win this weekend.

Ousmane Dembele took another step on the road to redemption as Barcelona eased past Villarreal on Sunday to move back to the top of La Liga. Dembele, dropped last month by coach Ernesto Valverde, was making his second consecutive start and repaid the faith by teeing up Gerard Pique's opening goal in a comfortable 2-0 win at the Camp Nou.

Ousmane Dembele took another step on the road to redemption as Barcelona eased past Villarreal on Sunday to move back to the top of La Liga. Dembele, dropped last month by coach Ernesto Valverde, was making his second consecutive start and repaid the faith by teeing up Gerard Pique's opening goal in a comfortable 2-0 win at the Camp Nou. Carles Alena, the 20-year-old Spaniard also regarded as a star of the future, came off the bench to add a late flourish, chipping in his first La Liga goal and Barca's second after a defence-splitting pass from Lionel Messi. "Alena has earned his step up to the first team," Valverde said. A narrow victory puts Barca back at the top, in front of Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, who were each held to 1-1 draws earlier on Sunday, away to Alaves and Girona respectively. Villarreal, meanwhile, stay 17th, with the pressure mounting on coach Javier Calleja, who has overseen only one league win since September. Alena, a dainty attacking midfielder with 13 years training in Barca's academy, is likely to enjoy many more celebrations in front of the club's fans but for Dembele, the sense was time had been running out. Valverde's patience with the 21-year-old appeared to be wearing thin when he was dropped against Real Betis three weeks ago but a late equaliser against Atletico earned a reprieve, and this was another lively performance. "He played a great game and was one of our outstanding players," Valverde said. "He has so many assets - penetration, dribbling, shooting, speed, confidence, daring. Let's hope it continues like this." Heartening too for Valverde will have been the clean sheet, Barcelona's first in the league since the second game of the season back in August. An early Dembele shot might have gone in had it not been blocked by Santiago Caseres before the Frenchman turned provider, picking out Pique with a perfectly judged cross. Pique held off Victor Ruiz, perhaps even too vigorously, and headed in. Villarreal, however, remained in touch, literally, as Pique was lucky to escape a harsher punishment when he threw a hand into Gerard Moreno's face. When Moreno was substituted he made sure to mutter towards Pique on his way off. Barca finally put the result beyond doubt as Messi's brilliant pass from deep freed Alena, who chipped Sergio Asenjo like he had scored dozens of goals like this rather than just his first. Little over 100 kilometres away in Catalonia, Atletico Madrid's troubles away from home had continued as they needed Diego Costa to help them snatch a late equaliser against Girona. Costa's excellent run and first touch panicked Girona's Jonas Ramalho into poking into his own net at Montilivi after the in-form Cristhian Stuani had fired the hosts ahead from the penalty spot. Avoiding defeat was enough to put a smile on Diego Simeone's face at full-time but his side have now won only once in seven league matches on the road this season. "La Liga is barbaric," Simeone said afterwards. "There are no easy opponents." Girona are seventh, with Stuani leading the way. His goal from the spot was his 12th of the campaign and enough to leave him top of the scoring charts, ahead of Iago Aspas and Messi. Sevilla could have reclaimed their place at the summit but instead became the latest side to be thwarted at Mendizorrotza. Alaves stormed ahead when Sevilla's Sergi Gomez played Jonathan Calleri onside by feathering the ball on its way through, with Jony waiting to finish at the back post. Sevilla were incensed but still left with a point thanks to a smart finish from Wissam Ben Yedder. Alaves stay fourth, with the draw ensuring only two of the table's top six - Barca and Real Madrid - managed to win this weekend.

Barcelona defeat Villarreal to go on top of Lal Liga table

Gerard Pique headed home a late equaliser for Barcelona against Catalan rivals Espanyol to earn his side a 1-1 draw in Cornella and maintain their unbeaten La Liga record on Sunday.

The defender whistled throughout after making provocative comments which upset Espanyol fans after Barcelona knocked their rivals out of the King&#39;s Cup in January, buried Lionel Messi&#39;s free kick.

Ernesto Valverde had started the Argentine on the bench as he rotated his side but threw Messi on in the second half as Barcelona struggled to break down a stubborn Espanyol on a waterlogged pitch in driving rain.

Gerard Moreno headed home Sergio Garcia&#39;s inch-perfect cross in the 66th minute to give Espanyol hope of repeating their King&#39;s Cup first-leg win over Barcelona but Pique had the final say to move his side provisionally 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Barcelona has now gone a club record 22 league games unbeaten, surpassing the total of 21 they managed under Pep Guardiola in the 2009-10 season.

&quot;We were not able to take the three points but the conditions weren&#39;t the best,&quot; Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta told beIN Sports.

&quot;It was an entertaining derby. I wouldn&#39;t say the pitch affected us too much, we adapted well.

&quot;There were waterlogged zones but we made a great effort and came back from 1-0 down.&quot;

Espanyol saw off their arch-rivals by one goal in the first leg of the King&#39;s Cup quarter-final but could not repeat the trick here, with the visitors fighting back as they did in the second part of the cup tie.

After eliminating Espanyol Pique mocked them, saying that following their move to a new stadium in 2009 they were now a team from Cornella, on the outskirts of Barcelona, rather than from the city itself. Espanyol later reported his comments to Spanish football&#39;s anti-violence committee.

However, Pique was the winner this time, with his late goal frustrating the hosts in their bid to climb the table and move out of danger.

&nbsp;

Gerard Pique salvaged a 1-1 draw for La Liga leaders Barcelona at city rivals Espanyol, keeping their bid for an unbeaten campaign on track

Gerard Pique headed home a late equaliser for Barcelona against Catalan rivals Espanyol to earn his side a 1-1 draw in Cornella and maintain their unbeaten La Liga record on Sunday. The defender whistled throughout after making provocative comments which upset Espanyol fans after Barcelona knocked their rivals out of the King's Cup in January, buried Lionel Messi's free kick. Ernesto Valverde had started the Argentine on the bench as he rotated his side but threw Messi on in the second half as Barcelona struggled to break down a stubborn Espanyol on a waterlogged pitch in driving rain. Gerard Moreno headed home Sergio Garcia's inch-perfect cross in the 66th minute to give Espanyol hope of repeating their King's Cup first-leg win over Barcelona but Pique had the final say to move his side provisionally 12 points clear at the top of the table. Barcelona has now gone a club record 22 league games unbeaten, surpassing the total of 21 they managed under Pep Guardiola in the 2009-10 season. "We were not able to take the three points but the conditions weren't the best," Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta told beIN Sports. "It was an entertaining derby. I wouldn't say the pitch affected us too much, we adapted well. "There were waterlogged zones but we made a great effort and came back from 1-0 down." Espanyol saw off their arch-rivals by one goal in the first leg of the King's Cup quarter-final but could not repeat the trick here, with the visitors fighting back as they did in the second part of the cup tie. After eliminating Espanyol Pique mocked them, saying that following their move to a new stadium in 2009 they were now a team from Cornella, on the outskirts of Barcelona, rather than from the city itself. Espanyol later reported his comments to Spanish football's anti-violence committee. However, Pique was the winner this time, with his late goal frustrating the hosts in their bid to climb the table and move out of danger.

LaLiga: Barcelona continues unbeaten run

Gerard Pique has signed a new contract&nbsp;with FC Barcelona on Monday.

The defender and the club agreed to extend Pique&#39;s contract until 2022 when he will turn 35-year-old.

&quot;Since I have arrived here, I can say every year I have won a title, and that we have always competed until the end, and that&#39;s the most important thing,&quot; said the Spaniard.

&quot;In the future, I hope we remain competitive until I retire,&quot; he added.

&quot;I just don&rsquo;t have the motivation to pull on another jersey.

&quot;I&rsquo;m still playing football because I play for Barca. If I was playing for another club the likelihood is that I would quit.&quot;

He has an emotional&nbsp;connect with the region and has taken active participation in Catalonia&#39;s independence movement.

Pique joined La Masia in 1997 at the age of 10-year-old but moved to Old Trafford in 2004.

He rejoined his boyhood club in 2008.

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???????????? The best of <a href="https://twitter.com/3gerardpique?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3gerardpique</a>&#39;s contract renewal... 
➡️ <a href="https://t.co/M9nCUW6We9">https://t.co/M9nCUW6We9</a> ⬅️ 
???????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Piqu%C3%A92022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Piqu&eacute;2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/sQub2tzwGZ">pic.twitter.com/sQub2tzwGZ</a>
&mdash; FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/958151581597396992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Since then, he has won three Champion Leagues titles, six La Liga, five Copa del Rey, five Spanish Supercopas, two European Supercups, and three Club World Cups in Barcelona.

The defender, who will turn 31-year-old on Friday (2nd February), also won 2010 World Cup, and 2012 European Championship with Spain.

&nbsp;

The defender and the club agreed to extend Pique's contract until 2022

Gerard Pique has signed a new contract with FC Barcelona on Monday. The defender and the club agreed to extend Pique's contract until 2022 when he will turn 35-year-old. "Since I have arrived here, I can say every year I have won a title, and that we have always competed until the end, and that's the most important thing," said the Spaniard. "In the future, I hope we remain competitive until I retire," he added. "I just don’t have the motivation to pull on another jersey. "I’m still playing football because I play for Barca. If I was playing for another club the likelihood is that I would quit." He has an emotional connect with the region and has taken active participation in Catalonia's independence movement. Pique joined La Masia in 1997 at the age of 10-year-old but moved to Old Trafford in 2004. He rejoined his boyhood club in 2008. ???????????? The best of @3gerardpique's contract renewal... ➡️ https://t.co/M9nCUW6We9 ⬅️ ???????? #Piqué2022 pic.twitter.com/sQub2tzwGZ — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 30, 2018 × Since then, he has won three Champion Leagues titles, six La Liga, five Copa del Rey, five Spanish Supercopas, two European Supercups, and three Club World Cups in Barcelona. The defender, who will turn 31-year-old on Friday (2nd February), also won 2010 World Cup, and 2012 European Championship with Spain.

Gerard Pique extends contract until 2022

Catalonia with the population of 7.5 million and history of over 1000 years old has voted in favour of its exit from Spain. More than 90 per cent population has voted for independence. After a long struggle, finally, they won the right to statehood and is all set to emerge as an independent nation.

Catalans have everything they need to flourish as an independent nation. A state which has its own police and parliament, amazing infrastructure and rich as well as varied heritage. Almost everything that is necessary for a country to get along with other developing nation.

The diversified and dynamic economy has contributed 18.9 per cent of Spain&#39;s GDP. Catalonia&#39;s economic trend for 2017&nbsp; is 2.7 per cent. Rich in natural resources, it&#39;s 1000 years old history and remarkable culture makes it different from rest of the Spain. Language, wine, food, festival, football has the unique association with Catalonia.

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<h5>FC Barcelona club&#39;s value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million.</h5>
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But, when it comes to football, Catalonia may suffer a lot after its separation from Spain. Likewise whole Europe, Catalans also has undying madness for football. FC Barcelona holds a very important place in Spanish football leagues. Laliga,&nbsp;the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.

After the separation of Catalonia from Spain, the club may shut down.

Many Barcelona players came forward in support of Catalon&nbsp;independence. Catalonian defender Gerard Pique, who also plays for the National Football team of Spain, has voted in favour of the referendum and posted in the social forum. He twitted, &quot;I already voted. Together we are unstoppable defending democracy&quot;. He promotes Catalan independence and said very clearly that he may leave Spanish football team if it is necessary.

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Ja he votat. Junts som imparables defensant la democr&agrave;cia. <a href="https://t.co/mGXf7Qj1TM">pic.twitter.com/mGXf7Qj1TM</a>
&mdash; Gerard Piqu&eacute; (@3gerardpique) <a href="https://twitter.com/3gerardpique/status/914433491747659776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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La Liga president Javier Tebas, who himself is a Real Madrid follower, accentuated that football clubs of the Catalonian region would not be able to continue in case of independence. Barcelona playing in the Spanish Leagues would not violate any law but Tebas&#39; comments are not in Barca&#39;s favour.&nbsp;

There are other football teams, such as Dinamo Tbilisi and Red Star Belgrade who lost their identity after the respective countries got independence.

But speculations show and also indicated by club&#39;s president Josep Maria Bartomeu, &quot;Barcelona may leave La Liga if Catalonia gains independence&quot;, it may move to English Premier Leauge and flourish its football career. There are living examples of such teams, such as Monaco which plays in the French league and there are Welsh teams participating in English league.

Amid this chaos, FCB&#39;s captain, Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona despite being from Fuentealbilla, Albacete. He said, &quot;I am a Spanish but also feel for Catalans&quot;.&nbsp;

FC Barcelona&#39;s exit from Laliga would be a huge impact on Spanish football system. FC Barcelona club&#39;s value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million, whereas, the revenue generated from the club is around $688 million.

Laliga,?the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.

Catalonia with the population of 7.5 million and history of over 1000 years old has voted in favour of its exit from Spain. More than 90 per cent population has voted for independence. After a long struggle, finally, they won the right to statehood and is all set to emerge as an independent nation. Catalans have everything they need to flourish as an independent nation. A state which has its own police and parliament, amazing infrastructure and rich as well as varied heritage. Almost everything that is necessary for a country to get along with other developing nation. The diversified and dynamic economy has contributed 18.9 per cent of Spain's GDP. Catalonia's economic trend for 2017 is 2.7 per cent. Rich in natural resources, it's 1000 years old history and remarkable culture makes it different from rest of the Spain. Language, wine, food, festival, football has the unique association with Catalonia. FC Barcelona club's value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million. × But, when it comes to football, Catalonia may suffer a lot after its separation from Spain. Likewise whole Europe, Catalans also has undying madness for football. FC Barcelona holds a very important place in Spanish football leagues. Laliga, the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona. After the separation of Catalonia from Spain, the club may shut down. Many Barcelona players came forward in support of Catalon independence. Catalonian defender Gerard Pique, who also plays for the National Football team of Spain, has voted in favour of the referendum and posted in the social forum. He twitted, "I already voted. Together we are unstoppable defending democracy". He promotes Catalan independence and said very clearly that he may leave Spanish football team if it is necessary. Ja he votat. Junts som imparables defensant la democràcia. pic.twitter.com/mGXf7Qj1TM — Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) October 1, 2017 × La Liga president Javier Tebas, who himself is a Real Madrid follower, accentuated that football clubs of the Catalonian region would not be able to continue in case of independence. Barcelona playing in the Spanish Leagues would not violate any law but Tebas' comments are not in Barca's favour. There are other football teams, such as Dinamo Tbilisi and Red Star Belgrade who lost their identity after the respective countries got independence. But speculations show and also indicated by club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu, "Barcelona may leave La Liga if Catalonia gains independence", it may move to English Premier Leauge and flourish its football career. There are living examples of such teams, such as Monaco which plays in the French league and there are Welsh teams participating in English league. Amid this chaos, FCB's captain, Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona despite being from Fuentealbilla, Albacete. He said, "I am a Spanish but also feel for Catalans". FC Barcelona's exit from Laliga would be a huge impact on Spanish football system. FC Barcelona club's value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million, whereas, the revenue generated from the club is around $688 million.

Will FC Barcelona exit Spanish football league?

Spain defender Gerard Pique has grown &quot;tired&quot; of the criticism against him and has announced plans of retiring from international soccer after World Cup 2018.

&quot;Yes, I&#39;m tired of it and the World Cup in Russia is going to be my last commitment with the Spain team and then I hope I can be left in peace,&quot; Pique said on Sunday.

Pique came under the radar during the Sunday&#39;s 2-0 win in the World Cup qualifier against Albania after he claims that he had cut off the sleeves from his shirt which bore Spain&#39;s colours of yellow and red. The Barcelona centre-back clarified after the match that he had, in fact, cut off the sleeves from a different shirt that did not have the flag design.

&quot;I cut my shirt because the sleeves were very short and they were bothering me. I&#39;ve tried everything but I can&#39;t take it any more, the thing with the sleeve is the straw that has broken the camel&#39;s back.&quot;

The 28-year-old&#39;s relationship with Spain supporters has been rocky because of his repeated jibes at Real Madrid and his support for a referendum on Catalan independence.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation defended the Barcelona-born defender&#39;s action of cutting the sleeves in a statement.

&quot;Contrary to what was indicated by some malicious comments - that the player cut his sleeves to avoid wearing a top with the national colours - the RFEF wishes to clarify that this trimming only exists in the Adidas short-sleeve shirt, and not in the long sleeves, which is what Pique wore in the match.&nbsp;

&quot;This lack of trimming can be seen on the shirt of his partner, Sergio Ramos, who also wore long sleeves,&quot; a statement read, goal.com reported.

Pique&nbsp;has made 86 appearances for Spain and won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012. He was also present in Spain&#39;s disappointing campaigns in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

'The thing with the sleeve is the straw that has broken the camel's back,' the Barcelona-born defender said on Sunday

Spain defender Gerard Pique has grown "tired" of the criticism against him and has announced plans of retiring from international soccer after World Cup 2018. "Yes, I'm tired of it and the World Cup in Russia is going to be my last commitment with the Spain team and then I hope I can be left in peace," Pique said on Sunday. Pique came under the radar during the Sunday's 2-0 win in the World Cup qualifier against Albania after he claims that he had cut off the sleeves from his shirt which bore Spain's colours of yellow and red. The Barcelona centre-back clarified after the match that he had, in fact, cut off the sleeves from a different shirt that did not have the flag design. "I cut my shirt because the sleeves were very short and they were bothering me. I've tried everything but I can't take it any more, the thing with the sleeve is the straw that has broken the camel's back." The 28-year-old's relationship with Spain supporters has been rocky because of his repeated jibes at Real Madrid and his support for a referendum on Catalan independence. The Royal Spanish Football Federation defended the Barcelona-born defender's action of cutting the sleeves in a statement. "Contrary to what was indicated by some malicious comments - that the player cut his sleeves to avoid wearing a top with the national colours - the RFEF wishes to clarify that this trimming only exists in the Adidas short-sleeve shirt, and not in the long sleeves, which is what Pique wore in the match. "This lack of trimming can be seen on the shirt of his partner, Sergio Ramos, who also wore long sleeves," a statement read, goal.com reported. Pique has made 86 appearances for Spain and won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012. He was also present in Spain's disappointing campaigns in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Spanish defender Pique decides to quit international soccer after 'shirt sleeve' controversy

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Barcelona defeat Villarreal to go on top of Lal Liga table

LaLiga: Barcelona continues unbeaten run

Gerard Pique extends contract until 2022

Will FC Barcelona exit Spanish football league?

Spanish defender Pique decides to quit international soccer after 'shirt sleeve' controversy