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Barcelona's Lionel Messi, on the left, faces Manchester United's Luke Shaw in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, Manchester United's football match against FC Barcelona at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. (Dave Thompson / Associated Press)
BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has left striker Lionel Messi out of his squad for the Spanish league game this weekend, leaving him more rest before Manchester United's visit.
Valverde dropped Messi and Sergio Busquets for Saturday's game in Huesca, which is in last place in La Liga.
Messi had a bloody nose when he was smacked in the face by defender United, Smaller, in the 1-0 win of the Champions League in Barcelona at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Valverde said Friday that the blow received had left a break to Messi.
"I talked to him and he's fine, but it was a blow," Valverde said. "He did not feel good the next day or the rest of the match. It was as if a truck had crushed it.
Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique will miss Huesca's match because of suspensions, while Sergi Roberto will rest to recover from muscle tension in his left leg. Ivan Rakitic will not travel because of the fever, said the club.
Barcelona leads the Spanish league by 11 points with seven games to play.
The reigning Spanish champions welcome United on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
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