Injured Iniesta eyes Rome final
Iniesta sustained the injury in Sunday night’s 3-3 draw with Villarreal at the Camp Nou and it was feared he would miss the Rome showpiece.
But the 25-year-old is optimistic he will be fit to line up against Alex Ferguson’s side on May 27. He underwent tests on the injury yesterday, after which he insisted: “I will be in Rome. It is a small tear that wasn’t as bad as we thought. From here until the final I will only think about Rome.
“The desire that I have to play in this final is going to help (my recovery) a lot.”
Barcelona’s website was also positive on Iniesta’s recovery period after confirming he has a “two-centimetre tear in the muscle in his right thigh”.
The news on Iniesta will come as welcome relief for Barca coach Pep Guardiola, who is already without the suspended Eric Abidal and Dani Alves against United.
Rafael Marquez is definitely out as he is facing knee surgery while there is a doubt surrounding the availability of Thierry Henry after the France striker damaged knee ligaments in the 6-2 defeat of Real Madrid.
The injuries are threatening to hamper the Catalan giants’ bid to land a domestic and European treble.
In addition to the Champions League final, Barca play Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey tomorrow night and are also set to claim the Primera Division title.
The league crown could have been secured on Sunday night only for Guardiola’s side to concede a late equaliser.
Despite the setback, striker Samuel Eto’o insists the trophy remains destined for the Nou Camp with Barca eight points clear of arch-rivals Madrid with three games remaining.
“Winning the league is only a question of time. We could be champions before we even play again,” said the Cameroon international.
Madrid have to beat Villarreal at El Madrigal next Saturday, otherwise they will concede the title to Barca, who are at Real Mallorca the following day.
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