Pique: I believed Bartomeu's explanation, he was really affected by it Barcelona Referring to social media scandal

Last week saw Barcelona dominate the headlines for all the wrong reasons after reports that a PR firm was hired to strengthen president Josep Maria Bartomeu's position while simultaneously slating some close to the club, but Gerard Pique is not worried about that.

The centre-back was one of the players mentioned in the report, as well as Lionel Messi, but Pique is happy with Bartomeu's explanation on the matter.

"I couldn't tell you if it bothered me; I'd say I don't care," Pique responded during Barcelona's pre-match press conference.

"In the end, social media is uncontrollable.

"It won't be the first time or the last.

"As for the president's explanations, as I saw him, I believed him.

"At least I believed that he didn't know.

"Because when we had the meeting, I saw him a little affected by it, but I wouldn't think twice about it.

"It's already done; it's blown up and it's already solved.

"Everything that isn't football will hurt us."

The last two seasons have seen Barcelona fall to embarrassing exits to Roma and Liverpool, with the Catalan stating that they are now a part of the club's history.

"We will never forget it," Pique said.

"It's in the history of our club and those who experienced it.

"We'll learn from our defeats, too.

"Whatever comes in the future, we'll know how to face it and go forward.

"I'm sure we've learned from things like that."

There were whistles and chants against Bartomeu during Barcelona's 5-0 win at home to Eibar at the weekend, but Pique is not worried about the institutional crisis at the club.

"We have to do our work on the pitch," he intimated.

"In recent years, what has happened on the pitch has been very important for the club.

"The results have always held up the club.

"We have to try and do things right because we know that if we don't, things won't go smoothly.

"This is too important a game to think about anything else.

"It's very important to stay focused.

"This is a very important week for us."

After the Napoli game, Barcelona will start preparing for Sunday's Clasico against Real Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

"Each match determines the next," Pique noted.

"Tomorrow's result will influence the result at the Bernabeu.

"Two weeks ago, we were at the [Estadio Benito] Villamarin, six points behind Madrid... now the situation has changed completely.

"Let's hope that [the match against Napoli] will be one more step towards continuing to grow as a team."

The Stadio San Paolo is one of the most famous stadiums in the world and Pique is glad to be playing the ground for the first time.

"It's my first time in a special, historic stadium," Pique stated.

"When you're a footballer, you like to try new things and this is one of them.

"Napoli have improved a lot in their last few games.

"I'm sure it will be a very difficult match.

"You raise your level against the big boys and we'll have to be on our toes."