PSG's October Break Sparks One Worry for Enrique as Injuries Ease
14 October 2025
Return to action: Paris Saint-Germain look for a quick collective recovery
Luis Enrique, Paris Saint‑Germain’s head coach, faces one lingering problem after the October international window.
A French outlet noted that the break was a refreshing pause for the Parisians and their coach, helping reset expectations after a tough start to the season.
With injuries easing, the club is preparing to return to competitive action with a stronger squad, as several players head toward full fitness and collective readiness.
In Friday’s Ligue 1 opener against Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes, PSG are expected to welcome back at least five players to the squad.
Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves should be ready again after missing the last four matches with a hamstring issue, which flared up during warm‑ups before a Champions League match against Barcelona.
Another midfield option, Spaniard Fabian Ruiz, who finished 24th in this year’s Ballon d’Or, also missed international duties and is set to return to action.
Youthful winger Sini Maiolo also returned from a thigh injury during the stoppage, adding width and energy to the attack.
Positive news also arrived on the forward line, with Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia back in contention following a thigh strain, and Desire Doue likely to feature after his own layoff earlier in September.
There is a growing sense of relief around the squad’s depth as PSG line up for Strasbourg, with up to five players anticipated to rejoin the matchday squad for the opener at the Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, captain Marquinhos remains a concern, nursing a muscular issue that could rule him out of the Strasbourg game and potentially the next European tie against Bayer Leverkusen on October 21.
Paris Saint‑Germain are expected to issue an update on Marquinhos’s condition in the coming days.
Despite the injury wave, Enrique has kept a calm demeanor, insisting the squad’s depth allows for flexible selection and that football inevitably carries ups and downs.
French league table
After seven rounds, PSG sit top of Ligue 1 with 16 points. They are level with Marseille, Strasbourg, and Lyon on 15, while Monaco and Lens trail with 13. Lille sits seventh with 11, and Paris FC, Toulouse, and Rennes are on 10. Brest and Nice are on 8, Lorient on 7, Le Havre and Nantes on 6, with Angers on 5 and Metz at the bottom with 2.
Enrique’s measured approach has translated into continued domestic and European success, including a recent win against Barcelona at Montjuïc and a strong start to the league campaign.
“I’m not worried at all; I handle the issue calmly and with the team’s depth in mind—football is unpredictable, but we’ll manage,” Enrique said in a recent briefing.
Upcoming fixtures
PSG’s next test is Strasbourg, with a heavy emphasis on integrating returning players into a cohesive unit that can extend their lead at the top of France’s top flight.
Final note: the club’s medical staff may earn a few extra minutes of rest thanks to all the benching of time and players—clearly, they’re the real specialists at managing calendars, not just hamstrings.
Punchline 1: If injuries were a player, they’d be starting for PSG every week—just when you think they’re out, they’re back in the squad rotation.
Punchline 2: PSG’s medical team should get a calendar sponsorship—they bench time itself while the players bench the injury list.
