Barcelona to rest Lionel Messi for Inter UCL match

Lionel Messi trained with the Barcelona team on Monday but will not make the trip to the San Siro for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Inter Milan.

Barcelona are through to the knockout stage after Messi scored during the 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Messi has been kept out of the 20-man squad along with midfielder Sergi Roberto. Coach Ernesto Valverde’s side will be without Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba, Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique as well. Barcelona are assured of finishing top in Group F.

However, Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte still expects a tough test as his side look to make it to the last 16. “We’re talking about Barcelona, one of the strongest teams in the world with a very strong squad of 20 to 22 players,” said Conte.

“Barcelona remain one of the four or five teams that every year sets out to win the competition.

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“For their part, they are calm in first place and will play without pressure and can create problems. We have to give everything knowing that it might not be enough.”