Barcelona clash boost for PSG as €90m player targets late September return from injury | OneFootball

The upcoming showdown between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the group stage. Both sides are determined to make a strong statement, but injuries on either side have complicated preparations.

Barcelona continue to deal with the absence of key names, while PSG have also been hit by significant setbacks. Two players in particular, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele, were sidelined during the recent international break.

According to Le Parisien (via SPORT), there is now optimism that Doue could recover in time for the big clash. The €90 million-rated French forward sustained a calf injury in France’s game against Ukraine and was initially ruled out for around four weeks, putting his participation against Barça in doubt.

However, fresh reports in France suggest that he may be fit by the end of September and could even feature in PSG’s Ligue 1 fixture against Auxerre on September 27. That would leave him in line to face the Catalan giants in Paris on October 1.

On the other hand, the outlook is far less positive for Dembele. The former Barcelona winger suffered a hamstring injury in the same game and has been ruled out for up to six weeks. This all but confirms his absence for the Champions League encounter against Barcelona.

As things stand, PSG will be hoping Doue’s recovery stays on track, while Barcelona prepare to navigate their own list of absentees. With so much at stake, the clash between the two in-form European heavyweights is shaping up to be even more exciting.