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Andres Iniesta: 'Lionel Messi accepted bench role'

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta insists that Lionel Messi 'was not angry' at being left out of the starting XI for Saturday's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has said that Lionel Messi fully accepted Luis Enrique's decision to leave him out of the starting XI for Saturday's trip to Atletico Madrid.

Messi missed a training session on Friday due to the birth of his second son and had also been over in the United States with the Argentine national team.

Messi ultimately came off the bench to secure all three points for the Catalan outfit and Iniesta has insisted that there was no problem in the dressing room.

"He's not angry at being left out. It's normal after the journey and everything that's happened over the last few days. Ultimately, it's the work of everyone that helps the team go forward," Iniesta told reporters.

"Leo is a unique player, he makes a difference and today he did it again. I'm very happy for him and the team.

"We know that games here are always more difficult than normal. We matched the intensity of Atletico when we didn't have the ball and with the ball we played very well. I think we played a very, very complete match."

Barcelona have won all three of their La Liga games in the new campaign.

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Lionel Messi celebrates scoring to put Barcelona 2-1 up over Atletico Madrid on September 12, 2015
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3Atletico MadridAtletico27168344182656
4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
5Villarreal26128648361244
6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
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11Real Sociedad27104132328-534
12Getafe2789102322133
13GironaGirona2796123540-533
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15Espanyol2677122537-1228
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17Leganes2769122440-1627
18AlavesAlaves2768133040-1026
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2766153045-1524
20Real ValladolidValladolid2744191862-4416


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