Balotelli on bench, Messi makes Barca line-up

Striker Mario Balotelli will start on the bench for AC Milan while Lionel Messi has been named in Barcelona's starting line-up for the sides' Champions League Group H clash on Tuesday. Balotelli had been a selection doubt due to a thigh problem and, despite passing a late fitness test on Monday, coach Massimiliano Allegri opted to leave the 23-year-old out of his starting line-up. Messi, who has been suffering from a thigh strain, was doubtful to start after making only a late appearance for the Spanish giants in a scoreless draw against Osasuna at the weekend. Allegri will deploy a 4-3-3 formation with Brazilian Robinho in attack flanked by Kaka and Valter Birsa, the Slovenian who scored Milan's winner in a 1-0 victory over Udinese on Saturday. Barca coach Gerardo Martino will use a similar tactical formation with Brazilian Neymar and Chilean Alexis Sanchez playing either side of Argentina star Messi. Source: AFP