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Marc Bartra: Barcelona "unstoppable" with or without Pedro

Marc Bartra says that Pedro's departure does not make Barcelona any less of a superpower on the domestic and European stage.

Marc Bartra has warned Barcelona's domestic and European rivals that losing Pedro does not make the Catalans any less "unstoppable".

The treble-winning Blaugrana begin the defence of their Liga title on Sunday without the 28-year-old - and legendary midfielder Xavi, who joined Al Sadd in June - after he joined Chelsea in a £21.4m deal this week.

Pedro had struggled for regular games last term as the formidable trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar helped Barcelona to a clean sweep of honours.

"Losing Xavi and Pedro hasn't made us weaker," the Barca defender told the club's official website. "I'm going to miss them a lot but teams like Barça lose very good players and get back very good players.

"We still have a good group of homegrown players. You can't always bring up players who are ready for the first team.

"But with those who have joined us from other clubs, we'll continue to be unstoppable."

Pedro started 21 games in all competitions last term.

Luis Enrique's men travel to San Mames this weekend to open their 2015-16 campaign by facing Athletic Bilbao, who pipped them to Spanish Super Cup glory earlier this week.

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Pedro of Barcelona celebrates scoring their fifth goal past Beto of Sevilla in extra time during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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