Gerard Pique hits back at unfair criticism of Barcelona

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes recent criticism of the club is “excessive” considering how successful they have been.

The 32-year-old central defender has been a mainstay in Ernesto Valverde’s side this season missing just one of their opening 12 league games through suspension.

Pique brushes off criticism: Five key things to know…

• Barcelona are top of their Champions League group and lead La Liga.
• However, they’ve come under plenty of criticism this season.
• Gerard Pique, who’s been near ever-present for the Catalan giants, feels those criticisms have been excessive.
• The former Spain international reminded everyone of what Barcelona have achieved in the last year.
• Pique also recognised the criticism comes with the territory and feels they can play much better.

Barça, though, have not had it all their own way in La Liga losing three matches to date and find themselves level on points with arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of the championship with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla a further point behind.

In fact, the league’s top nine clubs, which also includes Real Sociedad, are separated by just five points making the Spanish top division one of Europe’s most competitive this season.

With so much expectations on the Catalan giants’ shoulders, as defending champions and Champions League contenders, there’s been murmurings of dissatisfaction from the crowd as well as picking up criticism from the media.

Pique, who returned to his boyhood club from Manchester United in 2008, understands it comes with the territory, but feels it’s gone overboard as people quickly forget their recent achievements.

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“We have won the last two league titles, we are the leaders in La Liga and in the Champions League and the criticisms we are receiving are excessive,” he told El Partidazo de COPE.

“Can we play better? Of course, but there is still a lot of the season left.

“Barca is the least result-focused team in the world. It’s not enough to win, the fans have made that clear. We have to win playing well and it’s true that right now we are not at the level that we should be.”