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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
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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