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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
1Barcelona26183571254657
2Real Madrid27176457263157
3Atletico MadridAtletico27168344182656
4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
5Villarreal26128648361244
6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
7Mallorca27107102633-737
8Rayo Vallecano279992929036
9Celta Vigo27106114041-136
10Sevilla279993236-436
11Real Sociedad27104132328-534
12Getafe2789102322133
13GironaGirona2796123540-533
14Osasuna2671273237-533
15Espanyol2677122537-1228
16Valencia2769123045-1527
17Leganes2769122440-1627
18AlavesAlaves2768133040-1026
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2766153045-1524
20Real ValladolidValladolid2744191862-4416


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