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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
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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