On 20 February 2011, Pinto made his first league appearance for the Catalans in more than two years (due to a knee injury to Víctor Valdés), playing in a 2–1 home win against Athletic Bilbao and performing well, notably saving a Fernando Llorente header. Again, he started in the domestic cup campaign, including the final against Real Madrid, a 0–1 extra-time loss; the following week, against the same team, in the Champions League semifinals' first leg, he was sent off by referee Wolfgang Stark after a half-time altercation involving himself (he was on the bench), Álvaro Arbeloa and Real Madrid match delegate Chendo, in a 2–0 away win.