Barcelona's Iniesta doubtful for Champions League final due to muscle injury
www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-11 08:56:08   Print

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates a goal against Chelsea  during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009.

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)
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    MADRID, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona's mercurial midfielder Andres Iniesta is doubtful for the Champions League final on May 27 after picking up a muscle injury in his side's 3-3 draw at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

    Iniesta was Barcelona's hero on Wednesday night, scoring the injury time goal against Chelsea that qualified his side for a Champions League final place against Manchester United.

    However, it is now uncertain whether or not he will be fit to play in that game after tearing a muscle in his right thigh.

    The club has yet to carry out detailed tests, but the Spain international will definitely miss Wednesday's King's Cup final against Athletic Club Bilbao and is a serious doubt for the Champions League final.

    Iniesta was injured in the last minute of the match in which his side failed to clinch the Primera Liga title with three games still remaining. Needing to win to assure the title, Barcelona conceded a goal in injury time and must now wait another week before being proclaimed Primera Liga Champions.

    "Iniesta's injury is worse news for us today that the fact that we are not yet league champions," lamented Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in his post game press conference.



Barcelona wastes title chance with draw against Villarreal

MADRID, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Football club Barcelona missed out on the chance to be crowned champion of the Spanish Primera Liga on Sunday by only drawing 3-3 against Villarreal in the Camp Nou Stadium.

Real Madrid's defeat in Valencia on Saturday meant a win would have taken Barca 10 points clear with just three games left to play, making them impossible to catch. As it was Barcelona could only draw a dramatic encounter 3-3. Full story

Editor: Zhang Xiang
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