Paris Saint-Germain face a severe medical setback following their 4-2 Champions League triumph against FC Barcelona, with star attackers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele alongside club captain Marquinhos sidelined by injuries.
Kvaratskhelia is set for a lengthy absence after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee. PSG confirmed in an official statement that the winger will undergo surgery in the coming days following an awkward landing while tracking back to tackle Xavi Espart during the early stages of the second half.
Dembele pulled up in the 19th minute holding the back of his left thigh after making a sprint down the flank. Both Kvaratskhelia and 32-year-old Marquinhos, who sustained a right thigh injury, were subsequently substituted around the 60-minute mark at the Parc des Princes as the two-time defending champions secured their third consecutive win in the competition.
The muscle injuries present a fresh challenge for PSG manager Luis Enrique, who managed Dembele’s minutes carefully throughout last season and has rested him twice during the current Ligue 1 campaign. The France international, who logged six goals at the World Cup and endured recurring leg muscle issues during his time at Barcelona, played a career-high 50 games last season en route to winning the men’s Ballon d’Or. Which led to him winning the men’s Ballon d’Or, saw Dembele playing 50 games overall in a season for the first time in his career, the 2024-25 campaign.
The injury bug also touches Kvaratskhelia, who previously dealt with a right ankle problem last season. The French champions must quickly recalibrate their lineup as they prepare to host Lyon in a crucial domestic fixture on Sunday, with both teams currently locked on points at the top of Ligue 1.
