Injury Shadowplay: PSG's Season Slips as Dembélé and Hakimi Exit in Bayern Clash

Injury Shadows Hover Over PSG Ahead of Bayern Clash

Paris Saint-Germain’s season took another knock as injuries continued to haunt the French giants after a 1-2 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi were forced off on Tuesday, and fatigue echoed through the rest of the squad as they faced a tough test at Parc des Princes. The evening underscored how fragile PSG’s depth has become as injuries pile up.

PSG, who had managed to avoid long injury spells last season, are now struggling to cope with an ever-growing casualty list. The setback arrived despite a near-full lineup, save for the other winger who was unavailable, leaving the team to juggle resources as the Ballon d’Or winner for 2025 and the Moroccan defender linger in doubt.

What It Means for PSG and the Road Ahead

Following a lineup that was almost complete aside from the other winger who remained out, Paris Saint-Germain were left awaiting medical updates as Dembélé and Hakimi underwent tests. Dembélé reportedly pulled a right hamstring—a recurrence of a problem that sidelined him for a month and a half in September—while Hakimi was forced off after a robust late challenge from Bayern’s Luis Díaz.

Both players are set for MRI scans, and PSG was expected to publish a medical update on Wednesday. Captain Marquinhos spoke with concern about the losses and stressed the importance of the two players to the team’s plans. The mood around the squad reflected a palpable fatigue that has compromised performance and balance.

Head coach Luis Enrique acknowledged that reintegrating players from injury does not guarantee they are at 100 percent and said he must manage the situation more effectively. With no specialist right-back in the squad, PSG explored several options to fill the role: Warren Zaïre-Emery has previously filled right-back duties but has recently shifted to midfield, Joao Neves was considered, and the club even highlighted 16-year-old academy product David Poli as a potential emergency option. There’s also discussion of a winter signing who can cover both pivot and the right flank, mirroring a versatile left-back solution.

PSG looked physically and mentally drained on Tuesday, while Bayern’s relentlessly efficient attack extended its winning run. Marquinhos noted that fatigue is affecting several players, including Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and others, complicating decisions about lineup balance. The post-match atmosphere suggested that the two injured stars would be unavailable for weeks, underscoring the challenge of maintaining form across a crowded schedule.

Enrique admitted that the process of bringing players back from injuries can backfire and that he must do better. The club will monitor the situation closely as AFCON approaches in December and the winter window looms, with questions about whether PSG will dip into the market for a definitive right-back or a defender who can also operate in midfield—an approach similar to what some teams use on the opposite flank.

PSG’s Tuesday display left them exhausted, and Bayern’s machine-like performance reaffirmed why the Bavarians sit atop a long, daunting run of form. The club’s leadership will need to decide how best to protect their season, balancing Europe’s grind with Ligue 1’s demands.

Punchline 1: If injuries were a transfer window, PSG would be negotiating a season-long loan with the medical department. Punchline 2: Bayern’s bench is so deep that even their water bottles are on a training plan.