Optimism Under Fire: Enrique Faces PSG’s Wing-Wave Without Hakimi and Mendes
8 November 2025
Enrique's Optimism Faces a Wing Crisis
Paris Saint-Germain's coach, Luis Enrique, faces a new test after injuries to left-back Achraf Hakimi and right-back Nuno Mendes, sidelining them for weeks.
The two players were hurt during the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at Parc des Princes in the Champions League on Tuesday.
PSG issued an official statement confirming Mendes suffers a knee sprain while Hakimi tore ligaments in his left ankle.
Hakimi was hurt after a rough tackle by Bayern's Colombian winger Luis Díaz, who was sent off for the foul against the Moroccan international.
Enrique's Challenge to Stay Positive
In a press conference ahead of Sunday's Ligue 1 clash with Olympique Lyonnais, Enrique said: "I am very excited, because I love challenges, and as a coach, this is a special moment but very positive" — a candid reflection on coping with Mendes and Hakimi's absence.
Lequipe highlighted the crisis, noting that PSG must rebuild over the coming period without Hakimi and Mendes, yet without losing the club's identity and style under Enrique's leadership.
The paper stressed that Enrique's approach remains constant regardless of the XI, and the test will come against Lyon.
It also recalled that Enrique has previously managed to overcome absences by leveraging other players to fill in on the wings and in attack, while preserving the core philosophy.
PSG's Form and Europe
PSG has collected seven wins in this season's Ligue 1, with one defeat to Marseille and two draws, before the international break.
Their Ligue 1 victories included Nantes, Angers, a 6-3 thrashing of Toulouse, a 2-0 win over Lens, and another 2-0 over Auxerre.
In European play, the Parisians had five matches with four wins, starting with the European Super Cup triumph on penalties over Tottenham after a 2-2 draw, and opening Champions League group games with wins over Atalanta (4-0), Barcelona (2-1), and Leverkusen (7-2) before a loss to Bayern.
PSG’s Preview for Lyon and the Injury Shadow
Heading to Lyon on Sunday, PSG, the defending Ligue 1 champions, face the continental setback and the ongoing injury wave, as they seek to maintain the league lead while Marseille eyes a slip from the top.
After the domestic defeat to Marseille on September 22, PSG was hit again midweek by Bayern’s 2-1 win, with Dembélé and Hakimi out and Mendes sidelined later, reviving the injury ghosts that have haunted the club since last season's European triumph.
The injury list has forced PSG to test depth and resilience, with the medical team playing a crucial role in keeping the squad competitive across competitive fixtures.
