Paris Saint-Germain received two concerning blows ahead of their upcoming clash with Barcelona, as Nuno Mendes and Maghnes Akliouche both finished the match against Strasbourg with muscular complaints, leaving Luis Enrique anxiously awaiting updates on their conditions.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the duo experienced physical issues during PSG’s away victory, casting doubt on their readiness for the European showdown just days before kickoff.
Mendes came on as a substitute for Lucas Digne, but was forced to leave the pitch in the final minutes, leaving his side down to ten players. This occurred following Ousmane Dembélé’s goal that gave PSG a 2-1 lead, and just before Désiré Doué sealed the victory.
A definitive diagnosis for the Portuguese full-back’s injury or his required recovery time has not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, Akliouche also ended the match with muscular discomfort, though neither player’s absence from the Barcelona game has been definitively confirmed as of yet.
Speaking after the match, Luis Enrique said: “I am happy. We knew we would face difficulties, but we finished the match in a positive way.”
The Spanish manager added: “We showed our mentality,” after his team regained control in the second half and benefited from substitutes coming off the bench to secure the victory.
The importance of 24-year-old Mendes stands out as a key component of PSG’s left flank since arriving from Sporting CP on loan in 2021 before a permanent transfer was triggered the following year. The club extended his contract in February 2025 through 2029.
As for Akliouche, also 24, he arrived from Monaco on August 6 on a contract running until 2031, beginning his Parisian journey by starting in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa. His tactical versatility across midfield and attack gives Enrique multiple options within his squad.
PSG will host Barcelona on Tuesday for the third round of the Champions League league phase, leaving the coaching staff with a very tight window to assess the pair. Test results and their progress in training will remain the decisive factors before the matchday squad is announced.
