Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic believes that the team has benefited from the transfer of Neimar to PSG.

Last summer Paris Saint-Germain bought Neimar from Barcelona for 222 million euros, but the departure of the Brazilian does not prevent "blaugranas" to lead the standings of La Ligue.

"We can say that now we better control the game. With Neimar in the team we had more imbalances. He wanted to do a "show", and, probably, took this right away from the team, "Rakitic said..

"We changed the game scheme and regained the balance, we attack and defend ourselves with the efforts of the whole team. In every match we demonstrate team spirit and are on the right track ".

After 13 matches, Barcelona scored 35 points and has a lead from the second place in four points. Madrid Real Madrid lag behind Ernesto Valverde by eight points.

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