Turan defends Barcelona amid slump: 'Times like this only strengthen us'

Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan took a stance against critics of his new club in a week when the Blaugrana crashed out of the Champions League, and tossed away its lead at the top of the table in La Liga.

Tied with Atletico Madrid at 76 points and only one point above Real Madrid, Luis Enrique's side has faced a sudden drop in form, muting even the milestone celebration of Lionel Messi's 500th career goal. Turan's side is now winless in its last four matches, but the Turkish international says these trying times only serve to inspire.

"This is when you see everyone's true intentions, this is when the mask drops," Turan wrote in Turkish on his Instagram profile, as translated by ESPN FC. "But times like this only strengthen us. Now we can get rid of the rotten apples and return stronger.

"We will never give up, it is not in my nature to give up and I will give everything to win all the trophies we are competing in. I am proud to be wearing the Barcelona shirt."

Turan will certainly hope his side can come up with that newfound strength against Deportivo la Coruna after Barcelona dropped a 2-1 result to Valencia last weekend. Only five fixtures remain in the 2015-16 La Liga campaign.