Busquets defends Pique after own goal criticism

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets hit back at the club's general manager Pep Segura on Tuesday, after he blamed Gerard Pique's own goal for causing their 3-1 Spanish Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid. Segura claimed Pique's error was "decisive, it changed the game completely", after the defender diverted Marcelo's cross into his own goal to break the deadlock at the Nou Camp in Sunday's first leg.

Gerard Pique: own goal for first, outpaced and didnt tackle for the second, couldnt close down and block the third.

— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) August 13, 2017

Busquets, however, said Segura should not have focused on his team mate after the heavy defeat by Barca's rival.

"The play (Pique's own goal) was bad luck. We lost 3-1 because we committed some errors and they were very good when it came to finishing," Busquets told a news conference on Tuesday.

"You don't lose because of one play. (This is) not the way to express yourself and even less so from inside the club, singling out a player." Busquets said Barca needed to make signings after the first-leg defeat and reiterated that on the eve of the return at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Catalan on Monday agreed a 40m euros ($46.95m) deal to sign Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho.

A great night for Real Madrid, not so for Barcelona and Gerard Pique... @ZEZO_CARTOONS pic.twitter.com/c7gWBxlXAD— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) August 14, 2017

Busquets, however, is still hoping for further reinforcements, especially after Paris St Germain signed Neymar for 222m euros earlier this month. "There's only one Neymar. We have to look forwards," said Busquets. "With Neymar leaving we need, above all, attacking players. "We have a good team, we're capable of having a great season, that's what we're focusing on. We want to convince the fans but the off-the-field situation is not up to me. I hope a lot of signings come and that they are of the highest quality."

Sergio Busquets on Paulinho: "He's a great player & he has a different profile. He will bring a lot to us & we welcome him with open arms." pic.twitter.com/aEmQHoSCQr

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 15, 2017

Coach Ernesto Valverde believes Barca can still win the Super Cup, saying his side do not feel weaker than Madrid. "Clearly we start from behind, but looking at the statistics nothing is impossible," said the coach. "No…I'm not going to say (Madrid are superior). "Maybe at certain times, as they showed on Sunday when they took their chances. But does that mean they're better than us? No, I don't think that's a conclusion which should be drawn."