Injuries set stage for high-stakes Barcelona v PSG Champions League clash

Both players left PSG's 2-0 win over Auxerre at the weekend with knocks, leaving Luis Enrique's side facing a nervous wait before travelling to Spain. The victory kept PSG top of Ligue 1 after six matches but came at a cost, with their squad already stretched by a growing list of absentees.

Enrique admitted the injuries could overshadow what is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group phase. "Watching a game between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain with five or six important players [from both teams] not playing⦠to me it's a shame, for the manager Flick, and for fans of both teams," he said.

"We need to wait for the medical staff to tell us what kind of injuries Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia have. We have to stay positive because every team with such an intense calendar faces these problems."

Barcelona also have injury issues of their own. Hansi Flick's side are without Raphinha, Gavi, Joan Garcia, Fermin Lopez and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, while Alejandro Balde is a doubt.

The Catalans, however, remain strong at home, having gone unbeaten at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in last season's Champions League. On Sunday in La Liga, Barcelona had a 2-1 comeback win over Real Sociedad, marked by the return of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal after a month out.

Enrique, who managed Barcelona from 2014 to 2017, still welcomed the prospect of meeting his former club despite the injury concerns. "It's a true pleasure to play against a team that has our same identity, our same mentality," he said.

The clash was tipped by many as a potential final last season, and even with so many players sidelined, it remains one of the standout fixtures of the opening phase.

Possible absentees for Barcelona v PSG

Barcelona: Joan Garcia (out), Raphinha (out), Fermin Lopez (out), Gavi (out), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (out), Alejandro Balde (doubtful)

PSG: Ousmane Dembele (out), Desire Doue (out), Marquinhos (out), Fabian Ruiz (doubtful), Joao Neves (doubtful), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (doubtful), Vitinha (doubtful)

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