UCL Preview: Short-handed PSG head to Barcelona
As Paris Saint-Germain travel to face FC Barcelona on Matchday Two of the Champions League, we look at how the capital side will line up in a crucial encounter. Read on for our match preview.
Lucho's dilemma
To say 2025 has been kind to Luis Enrique would be stating the obvious, especially when it comes to European competition. On the verge of being knocked out of the competition at the turn of the calendar year, the Spaniard was able to conjure an impressive response from his side as they ended the season treble winners and reached the final of the Club World Cup. That latter achievement, however, may have come home to roost in an uncomfortable set of circumstances as injuries are mounting for the Ligue 1 McDonald's champions ahead of a challenging trip to Catalunya to face their boss' former side.
Indeed, a lack of any material offseason has seen a very crowded treatment table for Paris Saint-Germain. Ousmane Dembélé headlines the list of absentees, and his countryman Désiré Doué will join him on the sidelines here alongside captain Marquinhos and winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In their absences, Lee Kang-In and one of youngster Senny Mayulu and Gonçalo Ramos are in the frame. In midfield, the visitors will at least have a boost from the return of João Neves, but the task of getting a result on the road against one of Europe's best teams this season remains a daunting one.
Speaking pre-match, Enrique emphasized that for him, approaching this match with a collective mindset will make the difference in the result, saying, "No matter which players are there tomorrow, they will be part of a strong team, which is what we are. We will prepare for the match in the same way, in the best possible way to try to win the match."
PSG tifos are beautiful 🤩 pic.twitter.com/FipkmszWEl
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 30, 2025
Can Barça be stopped?
That said, it's not as if the hosts don't have absences of their own, with Raphina, Marc-André Ter Stegen and Gavi chief among them. Despite that trio and several others being unavailable, the Catalans have been irresistible this season, racking up seven wins and a draw from their first eight competitive matches, including a gritty win away to Newcastle United in the previous matchday.
While Raphina won't feature tomorrow, another former Ligue 1 McDonald's player -- defender Jules Koundé -- is expected to be in the eleven for Hansi Flick as the German manager looks to build on a successful first season in charge. In his own pre-match press conference, Flick underscored that despite their potential shorthandedness, PSG are still PSG and must be respected, saying, "We're playing against the best team in the world. Paris have a great coach and great players. It's a great challenge."
Predicted lineups:
FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Koundé, García, Cubarsí, Martín; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Torres (or Rashford); Lewandowski (or Torres)
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Neves (or Zaïre-Emery), Vitinha, Ruiz; Kang-in, Mayulu (or Ramos), Barcola
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