Gerard Pique Mourns Barca Loss to Madrid as Paulinho Arrives

Following a 5-1 aggregate super cup loss to Real Madrid, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has conceded that he feels inferior to Real Madrid for the first time during his career at the club.

Pique and Barca were clearly second best on the night as a Ronaldo-less Madrid side brushed Messi and co aside.

"The season is very long and there is room for improvement," Pique said. 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." "We are not in the best moment as a team or a club.

Pique added "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."

Barca - led by Ernesto Valverde - have the opportunity to bounce back when they host Real Betis in their LaLiga opener on Sunday.