Pique: Barcelona were put in their place at San Mames, but it's better to lose now than later Barcelona Happier to lose now than in May

Gerard Pique is trying to take whatever positives he can from Barcelona's opening day defeat against Athletic Club.

Ernesto Valverde went with a slightly experimental side at San Mames, which backfired on the Catalans, but Pique is hoping that they can learn from their mistakes before too much damage is done.

"We'll do well going forward," he said after the loss.

"It's better to lose not than at the end of the season. We can charge our batteries."

Athletic are never easy to topple at home, and Pique says that a slip is always likely there unless the visitors are at their best.

"It's a very difficult place," he said in reference to San Mames.

"The competition has put us in our place. It wasn't easy and they pressed us a lot.

"When you're not great, they take advantage."

With a number of players still finding their feet at Barcelona, Pique is hopeful that things will impress soon.

"We tightened more in the second half," he explained.

"But in the end there are small details that kill you sometimes.

"We're coming from pre-season though and there are new players."