Pique: No team can beat us

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes no team can beat the Champions League holders as long as they play their own game.

Barca recorded a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash, the fifth time in the past nine encounters they have defeated Real.

In fact, under Jose Mourinho’s 18-month tenure, Real Madrid have won just once in those nine matches (including three draws – each time Barca required only a draw), in last year’s Copa del Rey final.

Despite leading the league by five points Pique knows that record bears a monumental advantage for his side.

The former Manchester United man knows his side holds the mental edge over anyone they come up against, not least Real, a side many regard to be the second best in Europe.

“When we are ourselves, there’s no team that can stop us. If we play like we are playing now, we can win titles, and be the best team in the world once again,” Pique said.

“We have implanted our style for several years and we always apply it. It doesn’t matter where or who we play.”

“I’m proud and happy to belong to this team. Very few teams can go to the Santiago Bernabeu and win like we have done. That makes us different.”

Barcelona travel to Malaga in La Liga action on Sunday.