PSG Handed Boost as Barcelona Undergo Injury Woes Ahead of the Big Clash

Earlier on today (Sunday, the 18th of October), PSG officially confirmed that defender Nuno Mendes is set for a few weeks on the sidelines, after the thigh injury he sustained late on in the win against RC Strasbourg on match day seven of the Ligue 1 season.

This means that, as a result, he will miss PSG’s mouth watering clash at home to La Liga winners FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on match day three of the league phase this coming Tuesday (the 20th of October).

Well, it looks as if the visitors will also not be at full strength for this one— as it is being reported by Spanish journalist Fernando Polo (as relayed by BarcaTimes) that defenders Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia will miss Tuesday’s clash through injury.

Two players there who can play both in central defence and at right back, so their absences are huge blows to Hansi Flick’s side. Meanwhile, Polo also reports that Gerard Martin - who can play at centre back or left back - is a doubt for the game, though his absence is not yet confirmed.

Very interesting. Should it be the case that Martin also misses the game, then Barcelona will be left with just Pau Cubarsi as their only available central defender for the game, leaving them incredibly light in that area.

In terms of alternative options that are being discussed (by fans rather than a source reporting news as such), some are saying one of Rodri or Frenkie de Jong could drop back from their nominal midfield roles to partner Cubarsi in this one.

In all honesty, it is a shame that we will see neither side at full strength. It would have been great to see perhaps the two best footballing sides in the world (barring maybe Bayern Munich) go head to head with everyone available.

Still, hopefully it will be a good game all the same, and hopefully we will see this match up over two legs in the knockout stages. That is the tie that the fans would love to see sooner rather than later. A lot has changed since the quarterfinals in the 23/24 season. It is time for that knockout tie again (well, in the new year when the time comes for that part of the season).

Let’s see what happens on Tuesday now, with both teams a little undercooked for this one.