PSG lose Kvaratskhelia to ACL tear, with Dembélé and Marquinhos also injured
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tore the ACL in his right knee during PSG's Champions League win over Barcelona.
- PSG said the winger will have surgery in the coming days, with no return date given.
- Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos also picked up thigh injuries and will miss several weeks.
Paris Saint-Germain will be without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after the Georgian winger tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The injury happened shortly before the hour mark in Tuesday's Champions League match against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, and he had to leave the pitch.
PSG confirmed the injury in a statement on Wednesday. The club said the 25-year-old will have surgery in the coming days but did not say how long he will be out.
The news got worse for the French champions. PSG also confirmed that forward Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos picked up thigh injuries in the same match. Dembélé hurt his left thigh and Marquinhos his right, and both will stay in treatment for the coming weeks.
Four players out for Luis Enrique
Defender Nuno Mendes is also unavailable, which leaves coach Luis Enrique without four injured players. According to Daily Post, the three newly injured players will miss PSG's Ligue 1 game against Lyon this weekend.
The injuries come at a busy point in PSG's season. The Parisians have won all three of their league-phase matches in the Champions League so far, and they will need to keep that run going without some of their most important names.
For Nigerian fans who follow the Champions League closely, the absences change the picture in Europe's top club competition. PSG were among the early pacesetters, and losing a winger of Kvaratskhelia's quality, plus the captain and a senior forward, tests the depth of their squad.
What happens next
Kvaratskhelia's surgery is expected in the coming days. PSG have not said when he might return, and the club will likely give an update after the operation. Dembélé and Marquinhos will be assessed as their treatment continues.
PSG's next test is the Ligue 1 fixture against Lyon this weekend, followed by more Champions League league-phase games. How Luis Enrique reshuffles his attack without Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé will be watched closely.
