Gerard Pique Says Barcelona 'Played Great' Despite 2-1 Loss Against Valencia

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique believes the Blaugrana will "be OK" in the La Liga title race and insisted they "played great" on Sunday despite a 2-1 loss to Valencia at the Camp Nou. 

Luis Enrique's side are still top of La Liga but are now tied on points with Atletico Madrid after failing to win any of their last four Spanish top-flight matches, losing three in succession.

Archrivals Real Madrid are also now only one point behind Barca with five games remaining, but Pique is confident the Catalan giants will still claim title glory, per Juan Manuel Diaz of Spanish outlet Sport:

"

It’s incredible that the stars can align in this way. 

We played great, we didn't deserve to lose, but sometimes football is cruel like this. We leave with our head up high, we gave our all. 

I prefer to lose playing like this than playing like we had done recently. I am convinced that playing like this, we’ll be OK.

Atletico and Madrid can also lose points, but we should take this on thinking we'll need to win all five remaining games.

"

Barca have not endured such a slump for more than a decade, per the Sun's Phil Cadden:

As well as losing their advantage in La Liga, they were also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League last week by Atleti.

Having looked as though they were on track to win a second consecutive treble, Barca may now struggle to win even one major trophy this season if they cannot turn their form around.

And the pressure seems to be getting to manager Enrique, who lashed out at a journalist following Sunday's defeat to Los Che, per Sport:

"

Diario Gol journalist Victor Malo asked a question about whether the physical preparation at the club is affecting their bad results.

And the coach replied by saying: "What was your surname?"

The journalist replied "Malo". And Luis Enrique said: "Correct, next question." 

Malo, in Spanish, means bad. 

"

Barca certainly had their chances to get something from the Valencia match, with Bleacher Report's Dean Jones naming goalkeeper Diego Alves as one of the key men of the game following his numerous excellent saves:

But the Blaugrana seem to have lost their killer instinct at the worst time of the season, and their superlative front three of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi are not currently firing on all cylinders.

There is no let up for Barca as they travel to face Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday, another potential banana skin—especially as Pique will miss out through suspension, per Spanish football writer Sid Lowe:

It is absolutely essential Barca pick up three points against Depor to guarantee retaining top spot, as if they lose it to Atleti or Real, they may not be able to regain it before the end of the season.