Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is angry with Gerard Pique over his antics at Espanyol on Sunday.

While defending the veteran after the 1-1 draw, with Pique underfire for provoking home fans with his late goal celebration, Valverde made it clear to the defender his true feelings behind closed doors.

Valverde is upset with Pique's taunting of Espanyol, particularly as it is now three times this season that he has spoken disparagingly of their local rivals.

The coach believes the provocation is unnecessary and is creating manufactured problems for himself and Pique's teammates whenever they need to speak in public. Valverde knows in his next scheduled media conference he will have to again answer questions about Pique's antics.