FC Barcelona have started the season without that defensive stability seen throughout the previous campaign. Ernesto Valverde's team suffer more than before when they lose possession and the most impacted by this has been the defenders.
The team is adjusting to the new 4-3-3 formation and its a system which demands more from the entire team when it comes to defending. One of the players who has faced the most criticism has been Gerard Pique.
The centre back is aware the team needs to improve in defence. Pique is self-critical of himself and his displays but feels a lot of people are happy to lay all the blame on him.
"To be most experienced member in the defensive line and to be the player who graces the most frontpages in the press, I understand that when things don't go well they're all going to point at me. There are a lot of people desperate for me to slip up, they're waiting for it. People remember me. They take advantage (of bad situations) and leave their caves. They need to get out more. Every time we concede a goal it's my fault," Pique said after the draw with Valencia.
Pique was pictured after Garay's goal despite it being Vermaelen who misjudged the flight of the ball before it hit Gerard and landed kindly for the Valencia defender.
Perhaps more telling was his lack of awareness against Leganes. "It was a very big error," Pique said himself. The defender tried to clear the ball away but didn't get the connection on it that he'd hoped. The ball instead landed at Oscar Rodriguez's feet and he scored with ease.
Barcelona have conceded in their last six LaLiga matches and on four occasions have seen their opponents score the first goal. Since the match against Huesca, Barça have gone behind at some point against the other teams they've faced.
Pique isn't enjoying his best spell in the opening matches of the league season and is especially struggling one on one. Against Athletic he was the one person who played De Marcos onside, allowing them to get back on level terms.
Gerard also suffered against Girona. He wasn't able to get the best out of his battle with the forwards. He was beaten for pace in Stuani's first goal and struggled against Portu for the same reasons.
The fact there isn't an able replacement is forcing Pique to play more than he'd probably like to right now. He's the only right-sided centre back in the squad. Vermaelen, Umtiti and Lenglet are left-footed.
At the moment, Barça have conceded more goals (9) than 10 other LaLiga teams. It's a situation that Valverde needs to correct. The presence of Arthur in midfield, and his ability to keep hold of he ball, looks like things are heading in the right direction.