PSG’s Nuno Mendes Ruled Out of Barcelona Clash With Thigh Injury
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed Nuno Mendes will miss the Champions League showdown with Barcelona at the Parc des Princes after suffering a left-thigh muscle injury.
The 22-year-old left-back was hurt during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Strasbourg and is expected to be out for several weeks. The timetable rules him out of a major European test and leaves Luis Enrique with a late defensive decision.
Quick facts
- Mendes sustained a muscular problem in his left thigh.
- The injury happened after he came on in the 53rd minute against Strasbourg.
- PSG completed that match with 10 players after deciding not to risk him further.
- He will not be available for Barcelona at the Parc des Princes.
- Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaïre-Emery are potential alternatives.
Mendes could not see out the Strasbourg fixture after being introduced from the bench. Initial hope that the issue was limited disappeared following medical examinations the next morning.
Luis Enrique had initially played down the situation, saying he was not certain it should be called an injury and that PSG preferred to finish a man short rather than expose the defender to greater damage. The subsequent diagnosis has delivered a far more serious outcome.
The setback is especially awkward against Barcelona, whose right-sided threat is led by Lamine Yamal. Mendes had previously dealt effectively with the young winger on international duty, making him an obvious option for the assignment.
Digne is the most straightforward specialist replacement available, with the experience for a match of this scale. Yet his past difficulties against rapid top-level wide players could push Enrique towards a different answer.
Hernandez is another candidate despite operating mainly in central defence recently. The Frenchman built his reputation as a left-back and could offer PSG a more defensively secure selection.
Zaïre-Emery presents the more unconventional route. The teenager has already covered at full-back when absences forced PSG into changes, although his natural role is in midfield.
Using Zaïre-Emery on the left would likely open the door for Joao Neves to take on greater responsibility in midfield. It could also give PSG an inverted full-back shape, aimed at strengthening the centre of the pitch while retaining enough athleticism to cope with Barcelona’s technical attackers.
