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Team News: Messi only on bench for Barcelona

Lionel Messi is named only on the bench for Barcelona for the La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.

Lionel Messi has only been named on the bench for Barcelona for the La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina captain will only feature as a substitute after missing training on Friday following the birth of his second son.

Rafinha instead comes into the frontline of Luis Enrique's side alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar in one of only two changes to the team which beat Malaga 1-0 in Barca's last game.

The other alteration is in goal where Marc-Andre ter Stegen replaces the injured Claudio Bravo, while Sergi Roberto has overcome a knock to keep his place at right-back.

Gerard Pique continues to serve a suspension, so Thomas Vermaelen continues in the centre of defence alongside Javier Mascherano after scoring the winner a fortnight ago.

For the hosts, Felipe Luis comes back in at left-back after recovering from injury, while Tiago is fit enough to keep his place in midfield.

Fernando Torres once again partners Antoine Griezmann in attack.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Giminez, Godin, Luis; Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Oliver; Griezmann, Torres
Subs: Moya, Savic, Gamez, Saul, Carrasco, Vietto, Martinez

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Rafinha
Subs: Masip, Bartra, Mathieu, Adriano, Munir, Messi, Sandro

Follow Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the La Liga clash here.

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Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) quarter final second leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs FC Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on January
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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