Iniesta out of Milan game with bruised thigh

Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta has a bruised thigh and will miss Wednesday’s Champions League Group H match at AC Milan, the Spanish and European champions said on Monday.

Iniesta sustained the injury in Saturday’s 4-0 La Liga win against Real Zaragoza and is being rested as a precaution.

He joins suspended full back Daniel Alves and fellow casualties Adriano Correia and Ibrahim Afellay on the sidelines.

There was better news for coach Pep Guardiola concerning forward Pedro, who has recovered from an ankle problem and is in the squad for the trip to Italy, Barca added.

Group leaders Barca and second-placed Milan qualified for the knockout round with two games to spare and a win for the Spanish club at the San Siro will secure them top spot and a potentially easier passage in the last 16.

Barca have 10 points from four matches and Milan eight. (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Mark Meadows)