PSG Lose Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos Despite 4-2 Barcelona Win

Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-2 victory over previously unbeaten Barcelona came at a considerable cost, with Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos all injured during a bruising European night. Luis Enrique’s side secured the result through late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz, but now await medical assessments on three key players before Sunday’s Ligue 1 meeting with Lyon.

What changed for PSG

Dembele was the first PSG player forced off, stopping after 19 minutes while holding his left thigh. Ferran Torres entered in his place against his former club.

The situation deteriorated in the second half. Kvaratskhelia landed heavily after an aerial challenge involving Barcelona’s Xavi Espart and appeared to twist his knee. Unable to leave the field unaided, the winger was carried away by two members of the medical staff. Marquinhos also departed hurt in the same passage of play, with Maghnes Akliouche brought on as Enrique reshaped his side.

Enrique said the injuries, rather than the scoreline, were the principal negative from the evening.

“I’m not the doctor; I’m the coach,” he said. “The three injuries are the worst part of the game today. We will have to wait for the tests tomorrow. They are three very important players, so it is really bad news, of course, but that is football.”

Ruiz said the squad were especially worried by Kvaratskhelia’s fall. Reports have indicated that the player’s representatives fear a possible cruciate ligament rupture, although an MRI is required before any diagnosis can be confirmed.

“That is why Luis Enrique had rested some players, but unfortunately what we feared happened later,” Ruiz said. “We lost Ousmane Dembele after 19 minutes, then Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were injured almost at the same time. Khvicha’s injury frightened me because of the way he fell. He could not walk off the pitch by himself. I hope it is not serious.”

Competition context

The win was a significant one for PSG against a Barcelona side that had not previously lost, and Vitinha and Ruiz supplied the decisive late finishes in the 4-2 success.

Barcelona also suffered an attacking setback when Dani Olmo was replaced by Fermin Lopez in the 27th minute after sustaining a knock. Hansi Flick said the extent of Olmo’s issue remained unclear and acknowledged the player’s disappointment at an early exit.

“We do not yet know how serious the injury is,” Flick said. “We have to wait and see.”

Enrique has closely managed Dembele’s workload this season, particularly given the reigning Ballon d’Or winner’s previous fitness problems in Spain. That caution did not prevent another injury concern, however, and PSG could be without three established starters at a demanding point in the campaign.

What is scheduled next

PSG travel into a top-of-the-table Ligue 1 fixture against Lyon on Sunday with the fitness of Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos unresolved.

• Dembele is awaiting tests on his left-thigh problem.
• Kvaratskhelia will undergo assessment on the knee injury suffered in the aerial collision.
• Marquinhos is also due for medical evaluation after leaving in the same sequence.
• Barcelona are waiting for further information on Olmo’s knock.

Enrique’s immediate task is to establish the seriousness of the three PSG absences and decide how much of his squad depth will be needed against Lyon.