Spartak Moscow's performance in their 3-2 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday gives the team a good basis to improve, coach Unai Emery said.
Spartak were leading 2-1 away with 20 minutes remaining, before two goals from Lionel Messi changed the course of the game.
"We went after the victory and a performance like this gives us something to build on for the future," Emery said.
"I can't be satisfied because we wanted to win, irrespective of how difficult it is to do so against Barcelona, even more so in the Camp Nou."
Messi's genius transcends other players, Emery said.
"To talk about Messi is to talk about pure footballing excellence. It is possble to stop him but it is extremely difficult."
"If you throw lots of defenders up against him, the rest of the Barca players then take advantage."
Spartak next host Celtic on October 2, when Barcelona play Benfica away.
