Stricken Thiago Silva out for a month

Thiago Silva will miss both legs of AC Milan's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against FC Barcelona after suffering a right thigh injury during his side's Serie A victory against AS Roma. 

The Brazilian international had been rated doubtful to feature in the San Siro encounter – which the Rossoneri won 2-1 – after developing a similar problem during the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus in midweek. In the end, the centre-back lasted just ten minutes before being replaced by Gianluca Zambrotta.

"I took the risk because it was a crucial match in the title race," said Massimiliano Allegri, whose team are now seven points ahead of second-placed Juventus, who play FC Internazionale Milano on Sunday. "Unfortunately, it did not go well."

The 27-year-old, who scored the equaliser in Milan's 2-2 draw with the holders at the Camp Nou on matchday one, left San Siro on crutches after the Roma win. Subsequent scans revealed muscle damage to his thigh, with the club predicting an absence of between three and four weeks.

Meanwhile, Alessandro Nesta, who has been out since 1 February with a thigh injury of his own, remained on the bench for the entirety of the Roma victory but could well make his return as a replacement for Thiago Silva against the European champions.