Video: Injury crisis hit PSG as Kvaratskhelia tears ACL, dembélé, Marquinhos ruled out

Abdullateef Fowewe

Paris Saint-Germain have suffered a major injury blow after confirming that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during their Champions League win over Barcelona, with the Georgian winger set for surgery and expected to miss the rest of the season.

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PSG said the 25-year-old was injured in Tuesday’s 4-2 league-phase victory over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes.

“Having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during yesterday’s match against FC Barcelona, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to undergo surgery in the coming days,” the club said in its medical update.

The French champions did not give a return date, but ACL injuries typically require six to nine months of recovery, meaning Kvaratskhelia is unlikely to feature again this season.

Ousmane Dembélé has also been ruled out for several weeks after sustaining a left-thigh injury in the same match.

He was substituted in the 19th minute after appearing to suffer the problem early in the game.

“Following an injury to his left thigh, Ousmane Dembélé will remain in treatment over the coming weeks,” PSG confirmed.

Captain Marquinhos was another casualty of the Barcelona fixture, tearing a muscle in his right thigh after being forced off in the 59th minute.

PSG said he will also remain under treatment for the coming weeks.

The injuries leave manager Luis Enrique without three senior players from the same match, compounding an existing defensive concern.

Left-back Nuno Mendes had already been ruled out for several weeks before the Barcelona game after tearing his left thigh in PSG’s 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Strasbourg on October 17.

PSG are the reigning European champions and were chasing a third consecutive Champions League title.

The loss of Kvaratskhelia, who was named Champions League player of the season during their last successful European campaign, is regarded as a particularly damaging setback to that ambition.

The club’s next Ligue 1 fixture is against Lyon on October 25, and none of the four injured players is expected to be available for that match.