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Copa del Rey | Round Five
Jan 16, 2014 at 9pm UK
 
BL

0-2

 
FT(HT: 0-1)
Messi (43', 62')

Gerardo Martino hints at Lionel Messi start

:Headline: Gerardo Martino hints at Lionel Messi start: ID:130672: from db_amp
Lionel Messi could start for Barcelona in tomorrow's Copa del Rey clash with Getafe.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has hinted that Lionel Messi will return to the starting lineup for tomorrow's Copa del Rey clash at Getafe.

The Argentine, who has spent time on the sidelines with hamstring problems, came off the bench to score twice in the first leg at Camp Nou last week.

Martino then decided not to risk him in Saturday's crucial La Liga encounter with Atletico Madrid, which ended goalless.

However, the 26-year-old attacker now appears ready for first-team action after stepping up his training.

"We have obviously talked it over and I have asked him how he feels," Martino told reporters. "The situation is now different from last week as he has had a serious of solid training sessions.

"He is looking strong in training and now he has more possibilities to start because he has more possibilities to be able to finish the match.

"It would not be wise to put Messi or any other player at risk and we don't think there is a risk. We are trying to create the situation so that when he starts that he is in top condition. This is a good opportunity but we will decide if it is right for him to start."

Barcelona lead 4-0 after the first leg.

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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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