Gerard Pique hits back at 'excessive criticism' levelled at Barcelona... but concedes they can still improve as Ernesto Valverde's men lead La Liga

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Gerard Pique insists the criticism he and his Barcelona team-mates have received is 'excessive' as he points out that they currently occupy top spot in La Liga.

Barcelona are level on points with Real Madrid at the top of the table but have a slightly better goal difference.

Catalan boss Ernesto Valverde has also come under fire for his side's performances this season, having lost three games already this season.

Gerard Pique believes the levels of criticism Barcelona have received are 'excessive'

Barcelona's form picked back up before the international break after Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick from set-pieces, which came after a 3-1 defeat to Levante and goalless draw at home with Slavia Prague in Europe.

However, while Pique believes people's assessments of Barcelona are unfair, he concedes that still need to improve. 

'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,' Pique told radio programme El Partidazo de COPE. 

Manager Ernesto Valverde has also come under fire for Barcelona's performances this season

'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.'