Spain Good form silencing critics

After winning La Liga and the Copa Del Rey with Barcelona last season, Gerard Pique carried that form into Euro 2016 but was unable to do anything as Spain were eliminated by Italy in the Round of 16, losing 2-0.

Since the start of the season, the 29-year-old has been playing at an elite level and his absence saw Barcelona lose their first game of the season, a home game against newly-promoted Alaves.

Though he played in last weekend's 4-3 loss away at Celta de Vigo, Pique scored twice and was one of Barcelona's better performers.

"I'm in good form," Pique said. "I have been playing at a high level for two or three years now.

"Now that I've been keeping quiet, it seems as if people value me more and think I'm play better."

When asked about Spain's loss to Italy, in which the Azzurri played a three-man defence, the centre-back believes that the opposition's system did not affect the game.

"I do not think it influenced the game a lot," he replied. "The formations are there, but there are factors that end up being decisive in winning or losing a match."

Inevitably, Pique was coy when asked about comparisons between Vicente Del Bosque and Spain's new head coach, Julen Lopetegui.

"They are different coaches that work differently, so I will not compare them.

"The Del Bosque era was unique and we will never forget him.

"We are beginning a new stage, and a win against Italy will help us as we look to achieve our objectives."

The fixture against Italy on Thursday will also see Pique face Alessandro Florenzi, Roma's versatile midfielder who scored a stunning goal to earn a 1-1 draw for the Italians against Barcelona in last year's Champions League.

"It was a great goal- he meant it too- but that won't happen again."