The Brazil international departed Camp Nou in the summer for Ligue 1 dethroned champions Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £200m move which many believed would have left Blaugrana weakened.
"He is one of the best players in the world, but sometimes the best players in the world don't make the best team," he said to Croatian publication Sportske Novosti.
"We have overcome his departure with collective work.
"We have worked as hard as possible and have been able to win."
Speaking about the Clasico on December 23, Rakitic joked that a loss might ruin Christmas.
"One of the two teams will have a sad Christmas," he said.
"I'm joking.
"It will be a great game once again and I'm sure we have a chance of winning it.
"Winning would be a nice way to finish off the year."
Barcelona sits comfortably top of the La Liga table having gone 15 games unbeaten, and are also in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Rakitic side welcome Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday in La Liga
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