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Gerard Pique defends Gerardo Martino

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique defends under-fire head coach Gerardo Martino.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has insisted that head coach Gerardo Martino is not to blame for the club's struggles this season.

The Catalan outfit were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid earlier this month, before losing the final of the Copa del Rey to Real Madrid.

Martino's side are also four points off the pace in La Liga, but Pique has thrown his support behind the under-fire Argentine.

"There are no excuses, we haven't performed as well as desired and we're the first to take the blame. But we all have to look at ourselves," Pique told reporters.

"I think that Martino is not to blame at all for what has happened this season. He came in at the last minute and he has worked hard.

"We're Barca and we'll always be fighting fit. It hasn't been our best season, but we'll pick ourselves up. The future is exciting and we'll make it a success. I trust the people who run the club, we have a great squad."

Pique is currently on the sidelines with a pelvic injury.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano124441313016
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
16Leganes122551216-411
17Getafe12174810-210
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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