LEAD: Barcelona without Adriano, Affelay and Iniesta against Milan

Nov 21, 2011, 12:58 GMT

Madrid - Defending champions Barcelona will be without Adriano, Irabhim Affelay and Andres Iniesta in their Champions League match at AC Milan.

The Spanish club go into Wednesday's Group H game at the San Siro stadium with a two-point lead at the top of the group knowing that a draw would leave Lionel Messi and company well placed to finish first.

The club said on Monday that Iniesta will be missing from the game and has been replaced by youngster Jonathan de los Santos.

Iniesta, 27, suffered a pulled muscle in his left thigh in Saturday's 4-0 slaughter of lowly Zaragoza. He has been plagued by muscle injuries since 2009, though managed to recover in time to play a starring role for Spain at the 2010 World Cup.

Iniesta suffered a similar injury in October, and the Barcelona medical staff are worried about his muscle problems.

Brazilian defender Adriano meanwhile suffered a muscle injury while on international duty and will be out for three weeks, while Affelay will miss the remainder of the season after damaging knee ligaments.

Barcelona players though are confident that they can do well.

Veteran captain Carles Puyol, fit again after almost a year of injury problems, said: 'We will go there (to Milan) to win, that is our style. It will be a tough game. They showed over here that they are difficult to beat.'

Milan battled out a defiant 2-2 draw in the Camp Nou, in the group's opening match, with defender Thiago Silva heading in a last-gasp equalizer.

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