Luis Enrique And Gerard Pique Slam Barcelona After 'Worst Performance' In Sociedad Draw

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Top figures in the Barcelona organisation ripped into the team on Sunday night, after the Catalan side failed to beat Real Sociedad – falling to six points behind Liga Primera leaders Real Madrid in the process.,90min reports.

Manager, Luis Enrique admitted (via ESPN FC) that Barca were lucky to escape with a draw after being comfortably outplayed by their opponents, now managed by former Barcelona B boss Eusebio Sacristán.

Next Saturday could see one of the defining moments in the Spanish title race – with Real Madrid looking to take the chance to extend their lead over the Catalan side to nine points in a pivotal Clasico clash.

Enrique said:

“It’s easy to explain [the result] because Real Sociedad were superior to us in all aspects. It’s almost a miracle that it’s ended 1-1. They’ve not allowed us to string five passes together, they pressed us as and when they wanted, they won all the battles and you have to say that to be goalless at half-time was a miracle.

“In the second half we improved a little, but not enough. We got back into the game through an isolated moment between Messi and Neymar, but there was little else. It’s the worst performance since I have been in charge. We didn’t deserve the point we’re taking back to Barcelona.”

Gerard Pique showed his own brand of pessimism in an interview with Movistar after the game, saying that Barca would find it ‘difficult’ to win La Liga unless they upped their game.

He admitted:

“La Real were superior, in terms of how the game unfolded but above all in terms of attitude.

“We didn’t show up in the first half. In the second half we improved, but [playing like that] it will be difficult to win La Liga. There are few times you can say this at Barcelona, but you have to say that a point is a good result. We’ve [still] lost two more points on the leaders [Madrid], but that’s the least of my worries right now.”

Asked about Pique’s comments, Enrique backed away from them slightly – but praised the defender’s willingness to fight for improvements.

“I think it’s dangerous to say things in the heat of the moment because not everything will be right,” he said.

“You can’t say that [you can’t win the league] after the 13th game of the season. It’s the correct attitude, though, to think that there are many things to improve.”