"I'd go for the consistency and magic of Leo over Maradona"

Napoli and Barcelona meet this Tuesday in the Champions League last 16 first leg. Barca are hoping to get a good result to take into the second leg. 

Gerard Pique spoke to the media ahead of the clash. "Napoli are a team who have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and it will be very difficult for sure. They've beaten Juventus, Liverpool... we will be very alert. The main things is progress." he said. 

He said he had not forgotten about the eliminations at the hands of Roma and Liverpool because "they were two very big blows, although you can take good things out of them and look to the future.. 

On the Maradona and Messi comparison, he said the following: "I'd go for the consistency of Leo and the magic he has shown for so many years."

When asked about the Clasico coming up on Sunday, he said that Tuesday's result would have a bearing on that match and that La Liga has "changed completely" in the last two weeks. 

On the Bartomeu controversy with the fake accounts, he admitted his surprise when he heard the president's explanation. "I thought he didn't know about it. I was a bit hurt in the meeting, but I wouldnt think too much about it. Let's move on and try and qualify this Tuesday. 

Lastly, Pique remained tight lipped when asking about possible elections for Barca president.