- PSG defeated previously unbeaten Barcelona 4-2 at the Parc des Princes in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League
- Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos were all forced off injured, while Dani Olmo also came off for Barcelona
- Kvaratskhelia will undergo an MRI today, with PSG fearing a possible ACL tear in his right knee
PSG Win Thriller As Late Goals Decide Barcelona Clash
Paris Saint-Germain earned a dramatic 4-2 home victory over FC Barcelona in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League, but the result was quickly overshadowed by a serious run of injury setbacks. Les Parisiens overcame a Barcelona side described as previously unbeaten, with late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz securing the win at the Parc des Princes.
The match delivered a major European statement for Luis Enrique’s side, yet the celebrations were subdued because three key PSG players were unable to finish the game. The physical cost was significant, with Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and captain Marquinhos all leaving the pitch injured.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: There are fears that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may have suffered an ACL tear.
The PSG forward is set to undergo an MRI scan on Wednesday, but the initial medical assessments are far from reassuring.
If it’s confirmed, he will MISS the remainder of the season.
— @lequipe
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 21, 2026
Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos Add To PSG Concerns
PSG’s injury problems began early when Dembele stopped sharply after clutching his left thigh. The forward lasted just 19 minutes before he had to be replaced, with Ferran Torres taking his place against his former employers.
Barcelona also suffered an early setback of their own. Dani Olmo was withdrawn in the 27th minute after sustaining a knock, with Fermin Lopez coming on in his place.
The situation became even more troubling for PSG after the interval. Before the hour mark, Kvaratskhelia collided with Barcelona right-back Xavi Espart and landed heavily. The Georgian winger immediately grabbed his right knee in serious pain, could not put any weight on his right foot, and had to be carried from the pitch.
During the same sequence, Marquinhos also left the field injured. Maghnes Akliouche was introduced as Enrique attempted to adjust a side suddenly missing several important players.
ACL Fears Grow Around Kvaratskhelia
PSG are increasingly anxious about Kvaratskhelia’s condition. The club are said to be fearing the worst after the 25-year-old left-winger injured the ACL area in his right knee during the 4-2 victory. If that early diagnosis is confirmed, the winger could face a 6-month spell on the sidelines. His MRI on Wednesday will determine the full extent of the damage. Kvaratskhelia has played an instrumental role in leading PSG to two Champions League triumphs, making the potential severity of the injury a major concern for Enrique’s squad planning.
Enrique Calls Injuries The Worst Part Of The Match
Despite the scale of the victory, Luis Enrique made clear afterwards that the medical situation had dominated his reaction to the night. The PSG coach said he could not provide definitive updates until further examinations had taken place.
“I am not the doctor. I am the coach,” Enrique stated post-match. “The three injuries is the worst part of the game today. We will have to wait for the tests tomorrow. They are three very important players, so it’s really bad news, of course, but that’s football.”
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick also addressed his side’s injury concern after Olmo’s early withdrawal.
“We don’t yet know how big the injury is, we have to wait and see,” the Barcelona boss explained.
Ruiz Reflects Dressing-Room Worries
Enrique has managed minutes carefully this season, particularly with reigning Ballon d’Or winner Dembele because of the forward’s previous fitness issues in Spain. However, those rotation efforts could not prevent PSG’s latest injury crisis.
Ruiz, who scored one of PSG’s late goals, admitted that the squad were especially worried by the way Kvaratskhelia landed and by the fact that he could not leave the pitch unaided.
“It is because of moments like this that Luis Enrique rested some of our players, but unfortunately the thing we feared later happened,” Ruiz said. “We lost Ousmane Dembele just 19 minutes into the game, then both Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got injured almost the [same] minute. [Kvara’s] injury got me scared because the way he fell got me worried. He couldn’t walk out of the pitch on his own. I just hope it’s not something serious.”
Lyon Test Comes Next For A Depleted PSG Squad
PSG have little recovery time before returning to domestic action. Enrique’s team will face Lyon on Sunday in a top-of-the-table Ligue 1 showdown, a match that will test the depth of a squad now waiting on medical updates for Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos.
