Pique: Supercopa has no impact on league

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique does not believe winning the Spanish Supercopa will have any bearing on the battle for the La Liga title.

Barcelona are in the driving seat to win the Supercup after they beat and fierce rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in the first leg of the tournament.

However, while Pique is aware of the importance of winning the Supercup, he does not believe that it will have any impact on either side in their quest to win the La Liga title.

"The Supercup is separate from the league," he was quoted as saying on Barcelona's official website.

"It's important to win it, but the title has no influence on the league."

Although Tito Vilanova's men won the first leg of the Supercup, Pique readily admits the Catalan giants did not play well and were far from their best in that game, but claimed they would improve in time.

"That was the game where we were least like ourselves, but the season is long and of course there are things that we'll need to improve," he added.

The Blaugrana may not be performing at their best yet but that has not stopped them from making a perfect start to the season so far.

"The season couldn't have got off to a better start," Pique enthused.

"Six points out of six points in the league, and a good result in the Supercup.

"We played better against Madrid than what we got, but it's always hard to beat them."

Their Supercup opponents Real Madrid have however not enjoyed the best of starts to their season, with only one point earned after two games played, although Pique was quick to play down any suggestions that Barcelona would run away with the title this year and stressed the importance of consistency during the season.

The former Manchester United player remarked: "However many points there are between us, the season is very long.

"The most consistent team wins it in the end, the one who has deserved it over 38 games, not just the two we have played so far."

Pique was hardly his usual domineering self for Barcelona last season, with the usually reliable defender making several uncharacteristic mistakes and costing his side crucial points, but the Spain international is determined to put things right this season.

"On a personal level, last year wasn't my best year. This year, I'm trying my best to help the team and contribute as much as possible.

"I'm feeling good. I needed a good pre-season, because last season was very stop-start and it's harder to find your form that way."

Barcelona will travel to the Bernabeu on Wednesday for the second leg of the Supercup but Pique may have to do without his usual defensive partner Carlos Puyol, who fractured his right cheekbone in the Catalans' win over Osasuna on Sunday.