MX23RW : Monday, June 15 01:40:04| >> :120:10720:10720:
Aug 31, 2019 at 4pm UK at Estadio El Sadar (Pamplona (Iruñea))
Attendance: 16,742
Osasuna
2-2
Barcelona
Torres (7', 81' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fati (51'), Arthur (64')

Gerard Pique "not worried" despite Barcelona's slow start

Gerard Pique
© Reuters
Roberto Torres' double denied the Blaugrana after 16-year-old Ansu Fati scored first Barcelona goal.

Gerard Pique said there was no cause for concern as Barcelona's stuttering start to the season continued with a 2-2 draw at promoted Osasuna.

Barcelona, who were again without injured attacking pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, have taken only four points from their first three games.

The Spanish champions have yet to win away this season, with the Osasuna draw following the 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on the opening weekend.

Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – Day Eight – The O2
Gerard Pique says there is no need to panic after Barcelona's poor start to the season (Adam Davy/PA)

"We are not worried," central defender Pique was quoted as saying by Marca after the game in Pamplona.

"It is not the desired start, but we know that this (season) is very long.

"The important thing is to arrive in March or April with options to win the league.

"We would have liked to be with nine of nine (points), but we are having more difficulties than expected."

Spain Soccer La Liga
Osasuna players and fans celebrate after scoring the second goal in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

Ansu Fati, the 16-year-old who became the youngest scorer in Barcelona history, and Arthur both hit their first goals for the club as the Blaugrana overturned a half-time deficit.

But Pique was at the centre of the game's defining moment nine minutes from time when he handled in the area.

Roberto Torres drove home from the spot, his second of the game, to protect Osasuna's unbeaten start to the season.

"I hit it with my hand," Pique said. "But we always have meetings before the start of the season, and they talk about the distance between the ball.

"It doesn't give me time (to get out of the way) and I'm jumping naturally.

"I would like that the referees will try to do it. For me, it is not a penalty."

Barcelona return to action after the international break with a home game against Valencia on September 14.

Ansu Fati, second left, scored his first Barcelona goal at Osasuna
Ansu Fati, second left, scored his first Barcelona goal at Osasuna (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

Ernesto Valverde's side then start their Champions League campaign three days later away to Borussia Dortmund.

"I do not say that there are nerves, but since the end of last season there are different opinions regarding what the club is," Pique said.

"It is true that the last two seasons did not go well in the Champions League but we will not burn everything.

"There are two options, go for or go against and the best thing for the team is for everyone to go in the same direction."

Osasuna have made a promising start on their return to LaLiga with five points from their opening three games.

"I have to congratulate the kids," coach Jagoba Arrasate said at his post-match press conference.

"The idea was to be competitive in every game and at the moment we are."

ID:370006:

Click here for more stories about Gerard Pique

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts as Valencia score their second in the Copa del Rey final on May 25, 2019
Read Next:
Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona28194567313661
2Real Madrid28178352203259
3Sevilla28148641291250
4Real Sociedad28145946341247
5Getafe28137838271146
6Atletico MadridAtletico281113432221046
7Valencia28111073940-143
8Villarreal28125114538741
9Granada28125113533241
10Athletic Bilbao2891183024638
11Osasuna2881193539-435
12Levante28104143341-834
13Real Betis2889113845-733
14Real Valladolid28711102534-932
15AlavesAlaves2888122939-1032
16EibarEibar2876152844-1627
17Celta Vigo28511122235-1326
18Mallorca2874172848-2025
19Leganes2858152241-1923
20Espanyol2858152546-2123

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!