B arcelona right-back, Sergi Roberto , has pointed out that even without the contribution of Lionel Messi the Blaugrana remain an exceptional team.
The Argentine's recovery is coming to an end, as he has travelled to Italy , where the Catalans are set to face Inter on Tuesday.
"Without Leo [Messi] we aren't so strong, but we have shown that we are a great team," he said at his press conference prior the game.
"He is happy to be with us again and it's good for us that he has travelled.
"We were scarred by his absence and it's normal that it affected a team like ours.
"Luckily we were able to win the games without him and I don't know if he's going to play, but we're happy to have him here."
A comeback against Rayo Vallecano is to be followed with another tough away encounter against the Nerazzurri in Milan .
"The other day [against Rayo] we started the game very well, but then it was difficult for us to play as we did in the previous matches," he continued.
"Against Inter in Milan we must follow the line we did against Real Madrid or Inter at home.
"If we win, we are first in the group and we want to play a good match.
"In the last few years it has been hard for us to win away from home, but at Wembley
[against Tottenham Hotspur ] we played a great game and we hope to repeat it."
Barcelona have been criticised for the amount of goals they have been conceding and Roberto has acknowledged that this is an area they need improvement.
"We must improve and be self-critical," he added.
"We are calm, as we are first in LaLiga Santander and our Champions League group, but we have to improve in defence.
"All the matches are important, but the tension of matches against Real Madrid or Inter is perhaps different.
"We know that the points against Rayo are equally relevant in the fight for LaLiga Santander."

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