Barça lose Iniesta for Inter tie

FC Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta will play no part in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against FC Internazionale Milano after being ruled out for a month with a torn right thigh.

The 25-year-old picked up the injury during the 1-0 victory at RCD Mallorca on 27 March and had recently been eased back into action by coach Josep Guardiola, coming on as a second-half substitute in the defeats of Arsenal FC and Real Madrid CF.

Following a training ground relapse today, however, it was announced that Iniesta would be missing for the next four weeks, keeping him out of the trip to Milan on 20 April and the deciding second leg at the Camp Nou eight days later.

The Spanish international – who has made 40 appearances in all competitions for the Blaugrana this term – was forced to undergo intensive treatment on a right thigh injury last year before recovering to start the UEFA Champions League final win against Manchester United FC in Rome.