Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says defeat to Athletic Bilbao will sharpen them up.

Pique is hoping that they can learn from their mistakes before too much damage is done.

"We'll do well going forward," he said after the loss.

"It's better to lose now than at the end of the season. We can charge our batteries."

Athletic are never easy to topple at home, and Pique says that a slip is always likely there unless the visitors are at their best.

"It's a very difficult place," he said in reference to San Mames.

"The competition has put us in our place. It wasn't easy and they pressed us a lot.

"When you're not great, they take advantage."