KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona defeated Villarreal 3-0 in La Liga
  • Lewandowski netted a brace in the game at Camp Nou
  • Fans heavily booed both Pique and Busquets

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez backed Gerard Pique after the defender was booed by fans in their 3-0 win over Villarreal on Thursday.

Pique, along with club captain Sergio Busquets, had received heavy criticism from Barcelona fans earlier this season. The veteran pair came off the bench at Camp Nou against the Yellow Submarines. As soon as they arrived on the field, a chorus of loud boos began to echo across the stadium.

Busquets and Pique were also targeted by the home fans even when their names were read out in Barcelona's starting line-up Thursday.

Backing Pique, who is Barcelona's vice-captain, Xavi said the center-back is an "example" in the dressing room.

"I called for unity. It's time to be together. All I can say is that in the dressing room he is an example. And he's a great captain. People need to know that. I don't know why they whistle and I don't care either. What matters to me is that Pique is with us in the dressing room and he always does the best for the group. Today the reaction was required and the team reacted wonderfully. I'm happy to be Pique's coach," Xavi told reporters.

The fans have been reportedly angry with the duo since Barcelona's defeats to Inter Milan and Real Madrid earlier this month. Barcelona, who are on the verge of a second consecutive Champions League elimination, lost 1-0 to Inter Milan at San Siro before their 3-1 loss to Los Blancos in El Classico at Santigo Bernabeu.

Busquets was on the receiving end of massive criticism for his dreadful performance in Barcelona's defeat to their arch-rivals Real Madrid, while Pique became the subject of many jokes after he handed Inter Milan an equalizer in their 3-3 draw at Camp Nou last week.

Gerard Pique (L) and Philippe Coutinho at the end of Barcelona's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich that sent them packing from the Champions League
Gerard Pique is the current vice-captain of FC Barcelona AFP / Christof STACHE

Robert Lewandowski was once again crucial for Barcelona on Thursday as he netted a brace. With that, the Polish striker took his goals tally to 16 this season. Lewandowski has also provided three assists in 14 appearances for Barcelona.

After 10 games in the 2022-23 La Liga season, Barcelona have 25 points and are three points behind leaders Real Madrid.