PSG Hit by Injury Setbacks Ahead of Barcelona Champions League Clash

Barcelona – Paris Saint-Germain are bracing for their toughest challenge of the season when they face Barcelona in the Champions League, but coach Luis Enrique must contend with a mounting injury list that has sidelined several key players. Dembele’s Painful Absence The most notable absentee is Ousmane Dembele, who just days ago lifted the Ballon d’Or in recognition of his spectacular 2024/25 campaign, scoring 35 goals. The French winger had been eager to face his former club Barcelona, which he left in 2023 after six mixed years of brilliance and setbacks. Instead, Dembele is sidelined with a thigh injury sustained on international duty with France earlier this month. He has assured fans his recovery is “going well,” but he is not expected to return for at least two more weeks. This would have been a particularly symbolic encounter, as Dembele was set to go head-to-head with Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation who finished second in the Ballon d’Or race but claimed the Kopa Trophy as the best U21 player worldwide. Other Key Players Missing PSG’s problems don’t end with Dembele. Desire Doué, runner-up to Yamal in the Kopa Trophy, is sidelined with a calf injury also sustained on France duty. Marquinhos, the captain, is recovering from a thigh issue. Midfielder Joao Neves is battling a hamstring strain. Vitinha, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or, limped off before half-time in PSG’s weekend match. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was also withdrawn at the break as a precaution. While there is hope Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia avoided serious damage, the squad depth of PSG is being tested just as the season intensifies. Fixture Overload Taking Its Toll Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenge after Saturday’s Ligue 1 win over Auxerre, stressing: > “We have to stay positive. Every top club is dealing with injuries in such a demanding calendar.” The numbers tell the story: Dembele has played 99 games for PSG and 20 more for France in just over two years. Vitinha has racked up 134 appearances across club and country since 2023. Right-back Achraf Hakimi has played 131 games in the same period and still faces the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup in the coming months. Football unions like FIFPro have warned that relentless schedules are harming both players’ health and the quality of the sport. PSG Still Confident Despite Setbacks Despite the injury crisis, PSG travel to Camp Nou buoyed by their 4-0 win over Atalanta in their Champions League opener. Even if they falter against Barcelona, their path to the knockout stage remains open, given the new league-phase format. Still, fans and analysts agree: a showdown between Europe’s reigning champions and the Spanish giants is a stage where the world’s best players should shine. Instead, PSG may have to rely on squad depth to survive Barcelona’s test.

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