Injuries force PSG to reshuffle attack ahead of Villarreal clash

Paris Saint-Germain travel to Spain for Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League against Villarreal without Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the French forward nursing a muscle injury and the Georgian winger sidelined by a torn cruciate ligament suffered in the 4‑2 win over Barcelona.

Paris Saint‑Germain arrive in Spain as the reigning European champions in the UEFA Champions League, riding a long winning streak and sitting top of the group.

The trip to Villarreal, however, comes with a notable handicap, as two of the club’s most dangerous attackers are unavailable, forcing Luis Enrique to rethink his front line.

Both injuries occurred in the 4‑2 victory over Barcelona on Matchday 3, when Ousmane Dembele pulled up in the 19th minute while sprinting and clutched his left thigh, later diagnosed as a muscle injury.

Dembele had been in outstanding form, contributing four goals and six assists in ten competitive matches this season, including six goal involvements in just two Champions League games.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffered a more serious blow in the same encounter, twisting his knee after almost an hour in a fair challenge by Barcelona’s Xavi Espart and landing awkwardly on the turf, requiring assistance to leave the pitch.

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PSG confirmed that Kvaratskhelia has torn his cruciate ligament, an injury that will keep him out for months and sees him still in recovery.

Further injury setbacks

Dembele and Kvaratskhelia are not the only absences; captain Marquinhos left the Barcelona game with a hamstring strain, while Nuno Mendes and Alessandro Longoni are sidelined with leg injuries.

These setbacks leave Luis Enrique with fewer options on the wings and in defence than he would like.

Nevertheless, the French side possesses depth, with Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Desire Doue expected to lead the attack, and Achraf Hakimi, fresh from a hat‑trick in the 5‑1 win over Le Havre, arriving in strong form on the right.

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With many players unavailable, PSG will need that depth to make the difference at Estadio de la Ceramica.

Enrique’s side has shown this season it can win with different faces, while Villarreal, who have struggled for consistency, will look to exploit the missing stars.