Luis Enrique recovers 3 players against Barça: this is the PSG's infirmary situation

The match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain for Matchday 2 of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League will have important absentees in both teams. Luis Enrique's side has three starting players out and another in doubt until the last minute, although they have recovered three very important players in the last few hours.

According to 'RMC Sport', Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz and Joao Neves will be available in the PSG lineup this Wednesday in Montjuïc (21:00 CEST), despite the discomfort that the three have been carrying in recent days. Vitinha came off at halftime in the match against Auxerre (2-0) on Saturday, as a precaution, but was finally able to return to training on Monday.

PSG have four confirmed absences against Barça

Similarly, Fabián and Neves rested on Matchday 6 of Ligue 1 and, in principle, will have no problems entering the starting XI against Barça. The situation of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is much more difficult.

The Georgian winger played the first half against Auxerre, but left with a twinge in the back of his thigh which leave him out of the match against the Azulgrana team. 

Kvaratskhelia did not participate in Monday's training session and Luis Enrique will not take any risks. Those who are ruled out for the trip to Catalonia are Marquinhos (left quadriceps), Desiré Doué (right calf) and Ousmane Dembélé (right hamstring).

The two forwards were ruled out during the September break due to muscle injuries with France that will keep them in the Parisian infirmary for several more weeks. The center-back and captain, meanwhile, will also be out, at least until mid-October after being injured in the defeat against Marseille (1-0).

In this way, Paris has both good and bad news for the Matchday 2 Champions League game. On the one hand, it avoids the entry of another three starters to its infirmary, although it also loses at least three undisputed players for 'Lucho' in his starting XI against Barça.

Barcelona also arrives at Matchday 2 of the Champions League with important absences

For its part, Barça has not escaped the plague of injuries at the start of 2025/26 either. Hansi Flick's team, in addition to Marc-André ter Stegen (operated on his back in July), will not be able to count on Pablo Gavi, Fermín López, Raphinha and Joan García.

The Andalusian also had to undergo surgery last week to treat his injury to the internal meniscus of his right knee. Therefore, he will be out for four to five months. The player from Huelva and the Brazilian, on the other hand, should reappear in mid-October, once they overcome their ailments in the left iliopsoas and the right femoral biceps, respectively.

In the goalkeeper's case, he will be out for four to six weeks after surgery on the internal meniscus in his left knee. Alejandro Balde's prognosis is much more optimistic. The number three has been out for four weeks with a left thigh problem, but will be given the all-clear on Wednesday.

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