Gerardo Martino defends benching Lionel Messi, Neymar

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino has insisted that he was right to leave star duo Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench for the 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid.

Messi has not started a match since picking up a hamstring injury in November, but did score twice as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Getafe in midweek, a game which Neymar sat out with gastroenteritis.

Neither could inspire Barca to victory when they were introduced in the second half at the Vicente Calderon, but Martino has stressed that he did not want to gamble on their fitness for the good of the team.

"They weren't ready to start, any other coach would have done the same," Martino told reporters. "It's my job to take decisions like this and I think it was for the best.

"Neymar had a stomach problem before the Getafe game and that always makes you weaker. We know Messi scored two goals [against Getafe] but we shouldn't forget that he was inactive for the first 60 minutes."

Barca and Atletico remain locked at the top of the La Liga table on 50 points from 19 matches.