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Gerardo Martino to decide on Lionel Messi

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says that he will wait until tomorrow to decide if Lionel Messi will start against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has remained tight-lipped on whether Lionel Messi will start tomorrow's match at Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines to score two goals in a 4-0 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

However, Martino is wary of rushing the 26-year-old into a crucial fixture.

"He looks fine and had a phenomenal 30 minutes in the cup but he returned after a long time out and the question is whether he is now ready to play a full game at this level," the 51-year-old told reporters.

"We will make a decision tomorrow. It's not really a case of asking a player how he feels as they will usually say 'fine'.

"I have to go by my sensations and look at different aspects to make a decision which people will judge me on. I am the Barcelona coach and pick my XI and then afterwards a decision will be made on how well I do."

Barca and Atleti are level at the top of the league on 49 points.

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Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa celebrates after scoring with Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego Godin during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Levante UD at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madri
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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