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Andres Iniesta: 'Barcelona still the benchmark'

Iniesta: 'Barca still the benchmark'
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Andres Iniesta says that Bayern Munich have to win things over a number of years if they want to establish themselves as the dominant force in Europe.

Andres Iniesta has said that Barcelona are still the top dogs in Europe despite Bayern Munich's march to the Champions League title.

The Bavarian outfit destroyed Blaurgrana 7-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, before going on to defeat German rivals Borussia Dortmund to clinch their fifth crown.

Jupp Heynckes also guided the team to success in the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, but the Spanish international said that it takes years to achieve the level of dominance Barca have enjoyed.

When asked by El Pais if he thought that Bayern's victory this year meant the end of their reign at the top, the 29-year-old replied: "No, I know there are a lot of people who would like that but we are still alive.

"Cycles consist of years of achieving things and this one has lasted a long time. You can't throw everything we've achieved into the bin after one tie where we were not at our best.

"Bayern was at its peak and walked all over us."

Iniesta is currently in Brazil with the national team for the Confederations Cup.

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Spain's Andres Iniesta is challenged by two French players on March 26, 2013
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Tables header RHS
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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