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Andres Iniesta: 'Barcelona still the benchmark'

Iniesta: 'Barca still the benchmark'
© PA Photos
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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Michael Penkman
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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
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011


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