Paris Saint-Germain secured their third victory in three matches of the Champions League main stage by crushing Barcelona 4:2, but this result masks a serious personnel crisis. The club's official medical report, published on its website and reported by Sport RBC.UA, confirmed injuries to three key players at once: Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. For the Parisians, this means the loss of a significant portion of their attacking and defensive potential for the coming weeks, and in the case of the Georgian winger, for an indefinite period.
Dembele and Marquinhos: Thigh Injuries and Weeks of Treatment
French winger Ousmane Dembele sustained a left thigh injury and left the field in the first half of the match against the Catalans. According to the club's medical bulletin, he will undergo treatment and be monitored by staff in the coming weeks. A similar fate befell Brazilian defender Marquinhos, who injured his right thigh. Both players, according to the official report, will remain in the treatment room for the next several weeks, depriving the team of two important performers in the center and on the flank.
Kvaratskhelia: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear and Upcoming Surgery
The most alarming news concerns Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian winger tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee right during the match against Barcelona. In the coming days, the player will undergo surgery, and the club has not yet announced the exact timeframe for his return to training and matches. Earlier, media reports had already appeared about a serious injury to the winger, but now the Parisians have provided official medical confirmation of the diagnosis.
Victory Over Barcelona Amid Personnel Losses
Despite the injuries, PSG achieved a convincing victory in the third round of the Champions League. Desdue Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz scored for the Parisians. The Catalans equalized twice through Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal, but late in the match, the French club secured three points and extended their winning streak in the tournament's main stage to three consecutive games.
Context: Fan Incident and Future Prospects
It is separately noted that information previously appeared regarding a potential complaint by Barcelona to UEFA over the actions of PSG fans during the same fixture. Thus, the match that brought victory to the Parisians turned into a double blow for the club: aside from the sporting result, they now face a long recovery process for their injured players. The loss of Dembele, Marquinhos, and especially Kvaratskhelia with his ACL tear will significantly complicate PSG's schedule in upcoming tournaments.
