Johan Cruyff has advised Pep Guardiola not to fret about Barcelona’s recent defeats as it is better to lose now than deep into the season.

Barca were upset by Rubin Kazan 2-1 and were held to a 0-0 draw by Valencia on Sunday.

"It's well known that games will be lost over the course of the season," Cruyff explained to Sport.

"It's always better that these defeats come at the start."

Cruyff said that Valencia played "perfectly" against the La Blaugrana, whose advantage is just a solitary point at the summit of the Primera Liga table.

However, the Barca legend insists that Real Madrid are under a lot more pressure than Pep Guardiola's men to succeed after an offseason of mega-money deals.

"With everything that has been spent, they are under enormous pressure [to succeed]," Cruyff concluded.