Gerard Pique has pleaded with Barcelona supporters to have patience with their team following a 0-0 draw at home with Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
The La Liga champions came under heavy criticism for a lacklustre performance as they limped to their second goalless draw in four games in Europe this season.
Such a result heaps pressure on manager Ernesto Valverde, whose record in Europe has left many believing that he should not be in charge at Camp Nou.
When asked about whether the Catalans could win the Champions League by playing like they did, Pique told AS: "Well, it is difficult to say right now but sometimes at this club we have had spells where we have not played so well and then we have won titles.
"With Luis Enrique it seemed that it wasn't working well for us for the first six months and we won the treble. I would ask for a little patience, I know that people want more but the team is trying hard to find solutions. Not so much with the results, but in the way we play."
Barcelona players are said to be still feeling the mental trauma from the club's 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final last season.
Ronald Koeman, currently manager with the Netherlands, has been earmarked as the favourite to replace Valverde should results fail to improve.
Leo Nieboer
