Pique: For the first time I feel inferior to Real Madrid

Shift of power for Barcelona

Posted Thursday, August 17, 2017 by Marca.com

Barcelona's Gerard Pique has admitted to feeling a step behind Real Madrid this season, something that he has never felt in his nine years in the first team.

After a 5-1 aggregate defeat in the Supercopa, the gap between the two sides is greater than it has been at any other point in recent years, and Barcelona have ground to make up if they are to compete in LaLiga this season.

"The season is very long and there is room for improvement," Pique began.

"But in nine years at Barcelona this is the first time that I have felt we are inferior to Madrid.

"It is true that they won the Champions League last year, but we came here and won not long before that."

Pique acknowledged that the club are not going through the easiest time of late, but insists the group must remain together if they are to come through the troubling period.

"We are not in the best moment as a team or a club," he continued.

"We must remain as close as possible and try to keep paddling forward.

"It is important for us to live with the defeat and accept that Madrid were better."

After the first leg the defender himself came under criticism from Pep Segura, a director of Barcelona, but he is not holding any grudges.

"There is no problem," he continued.

"Together we are stronger and safe and things have been said but sometimes statements are misunderstood."