FC Barcelona have started the season with 11 wins in 11 matches in all competitions, a remarkable feat for any club.
However, this midweek, the Catalans will face their toughest test yet as they take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.
The reigning European champions, though, have been far from clinical this season and have now been given yet another blow heading into the Barcelona game.
Two players pick up fresh knocks
Nuno Mendes could be a doubt vs Barcelona. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, PSG will be sweating on the fitness of Maghnes Akliouche and Nuno Mendes ahead of their midweek contest against Barça.
That is because both the players picked up fresh knocks during PSG’s league game against RC Strasbourg.
Mendes, for his part, left the field injured in the final minutes of the game following physical discomfort. PSG have not yet confirmed the extent of the injury.
Akliouche also picked up a muscle discomfort during the Strasbourg game and his fitness and availability is also up in the air ahead of the Barcelona clash.
Injury concerns for Barcelona as well
Flick has a major selection dilemma ahead of PSG clash. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Barcelona are not in as dire strait as PSG when it comes to injury. But the Catalans are also missing some key players, including Andreas Christensen.
Christensen’s absence has created a major gap in defence, especially with Gerard Martin, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde also picking up knocks in the game against Real Betis.
If none of them fail to make it back in time for the PSG clash, Barcelona will be left with no other centre-back options other than Pau Cubarsi.
This, in turn, could force Hansi Flick to potentially start with Frenkie de Jong, who was being trialed as a centre-back after his return from injury.
Flick has other options as well, including several key talents from La Masia. But the club would ideally like to have either Garcia, Kounde or Martin available for this clash.