PSG host Barcelona in Champions League without injured left back Nuno Mendes
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The gist
PSG host Barcelona in the Champions League after confirming left back Nuno Mendes is out for weeks.
The reigning European champions face Barcelona with their defense weakened.
Background
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are the reigning European champions and sit near the top of Ligue 1, according to the sources. They host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League on Oct 20, 2026, a match French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed would go ahead despite violent weekend protests across France. PSG coach Luis Enrique is a former Barcelona manager, and the match revives a recent rivalry: PSG won 2-1 in Barcelona last year, when Nuno Mendes' matchups with Lamine Yamal were key.
How it unfolded
- Oct 10, 2026PSG beat Le Mans 3-1 in Ligue 1.
- Oct 14, 2026PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 away in the Champions League.
- Oct 17, 2026PSG won 3-1 at Strasbourg, their sixth straight win in all competitions. Nuno Mendes suffered a left thigh injury in the second half and was substituted in the 53rd minute.
- Oct 18, 2026PSG confirmed Nuno Mendes will be unavailable for the next few weeks.
- Oct 19, 2026Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the PSG-Barcelona match would go ahead despite violent weekend protests. Maghnes Akliouche and Senny Mayulu trained on Monday while recovering from injuries.
- Oct 20, 2026PSG host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League, 03:00 PM.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the possibility of calling off planned events including soccer matches was discussed, but that it does not apply to the PSG-Barcelona match.
- Coach
- Luis Enrique said the best way to stop Lamine Yamal is to keep the ball away from Barcelona, adding that if Yamal cannot get the ball, everything is calm.
- Coach
- Luis Enrique said the tensions in France would not affect his team and he was not scared, saying he is there to speak about football and the team just needs to stay focused on the match.