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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
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
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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