The injury crisis at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continues to escalate. During their Ligue 1 match against Auxerre, key midfielder Vitinha and forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (K77) were successively substituted due to injuries—casting a shadow over the team’s crucial midweek Champions League fixture against Barcelona.
Although manager Luis Enrique made extensive rotations to prepare for the Barcelona game (with key players such as Mendes, Pacho, and Achraf all left out of the starting lineup), other core members of the squad still suffered injuries. In the 35th minute, Vitinha asked to be substituted voluntarily after providing an assist for Zabarnyi. While he did not appear to be in pain when leaving the pitch on foot, he later held a lengthy conversation with the team doctor on the bench, confirming that he was experiencing physical issues.
Additionally, just before halftime, Kvaratskhelia felt discomfort in the upper part of his left thigh and was replaced by the recently recovered Barcola at the start of the second half. After the match, Enrique admitted that they would need to wait 24-48 hours for the results of medical tests. Currently, PSG is already without several key players, including Dembélé, Doué, João Neves, and Marquinhos; Fabian Ruiz also missed this round of the league due to physical concerns.
The injuries to Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia have made PSG's Champions League prospects even more grim. For the away match at Camp Nou, PSG may face the predicament of being without at least seven important players. How Enrique manages his depleted squad will be the key to determining the outcome of the game.
