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La Liga
Nov 21, 2015 at 5.15pm UK
 
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Suarez (11', 74'), Neymar (39'), Iniesta (53')

Andres Iniesta: Lionel Messi "essential" for El Clasico

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta believes that it is "essential" for Lionel Messi to play if the Catalans want to beat El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

Andres Iniesta has claimed that it is "essential" for Barcelona to have Lionel Messi fit if they want to beat Real Madrid in Saturday's El Clasico at the Bernabeu.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has been sidelined since September with a knee injury, but is expected to play some role tomorrow after returning to training this week.

Given his lack of playing time as of late, Iniesta admits that he does not know how much the Argentine, 28, will be able to contribute in the Spanish capital.

"I haven't seen Messi much but the news is good. He's training with us, the feelings are very positive and hopefully he'll be with us. He's essential for the team," he told AS.

"If he's in the squad it's because he can play as a starter. It's difficult to say how it'd be best to use him. The longer he's on the pitch the better but we'll see."

The Catalans sit top of La Liga by three points to their fierce rivals Real.

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Neymar of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's third goalduring the UEFA Champions League Group E match between FC Barcelona and FC BATE Borisov at the Camp Nou on November 4, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97


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