Injury Storm as Enrique Bets PSG Can Topple Barca in a Champions League Clash
30 septembre 2025
Match Preview
Louis Enrique, the Paris Saint‑Germain coach, faces a tight squeeze as injuries threaten his plans ahead of a high‑stakes clash with Barcelona in the second group‑stage match of the Champions League. The game will be played at Montjuïc, Barcelona's home ground, and both teams are eager to secure a second straight win in the group after opening fixtures in which they showed fighting spirit and clinical finishing.
PSG opened their campaign with a 4‑0 victory over Atalanta at the Parc des Princes, while Barcelona earned a valuable 2‑1 away win at Newcastle United in their opener. The early momentum adds pressure but also opportunity for a decisive result that could shape the rest of the group.
According to L'Equipe, Enrique is grappling with a wave of injuries that could rule out the three attackers from the starting front line, forcing a reshuffle in attack. The absence of key forwards would leave PSG relying on rotation and depth to sustain their attacking threat against a Barcelona side that remains dangerous on the counter.
In defence, L'Equipe notes that PSG's backline has contributed four goals in their last six appearances and that four goals have come from set pieces in domestic play. Those experiences could prove decisive in a tightly contested clash where opportunities may be at a premium.
Enrique named a 20‑man squad for the Barcelona game, with a mix of regulars and squad players. Notably, several first‑choice attackers are sidelined due to injuries, potentially reshaping the frontline, while others will be tasked with stepping up in a high‑pressure European fixture.
The match referee is Michael Oliver, the experienced English official who has presided over multiple PSG fixtures in the Champions League. Oliver brings a wealth of European experience, having officiated at major tournaments and numerous Premier League clashes that feature PSG and Barcelona in high‑stakes settings.
The Barcelona‑PSG rivalry in the Champions League remains one of the competition's most storied affairs. This meeting will be their 16th in European competition, all in the Champions League, and the balance of historical results has been notably tight. Barca have traditionally held a slight edge in wins, but PSG have produced memorable triumphs in recent knockouts that keep the rivalry intensely competitive. Fans still recall the dramatic 6‑1 Barça victory at Camp Nou in 2017 that completed a stunning comeback from a 4‑0 deficit in Paris, a moment etched in European folklore.
With both teams chasing a second group win, tactical intrigue will be high. Enrique's decisions on rotation, the health of his attacking options, and PSG's set‑piece precision could all prove pivotal as the clock ticks toward kickoff. The stage is set for a European classic, even if injuries threaten to steal the spotlight.
