Barcelona manager Luis Enrique confirms Andrés Iniesta's absence for Valencia match

Even though Andrés Iniesta's injury suffered against Paris Saint-Germain last Wednesday wasn't serious, he will not appear in the next Barcelona match.

During his pre-match press conference to preview the La Liga game against Valencia on Saturday, Barça manager Luis Enrique told the media that he decided to give Iniesta a few more days to recover from his bruised pelvis, thus getting him fully fit for the return match against PSG, next week at Camp Nou.

"He’s a lot better, but he hasn’t been able to train today. Unless there is a miracle, he won’t be in the squad."

Source: Sport

Iniesta's now confirmed absence should give Rafinha Alcântara a chance to play against Valencia. There's a fair possibility that Enrique does a small rotation at midfield, and a Xavi-Rafinha pairing is not off the table for Saturday.