Opponent watch: PSG enter Barcelona tie weakened by three absences and one significant uncertainty | OneFootball

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will lock horns this Wednesday in the second matchday of the Champions League group stage.

Both clubs come into the clash carrying significant injury concerns, which could have a strong impact on the outcome of the encounter.

For the Blaugrana, the list of absentees is long and worrying. Joan Garcia, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all ruled out and will not feature.

There is, however, some positive news as Alejandro Balde is expected to receive medical clearance in time and could be included in the squad list.

PSG missing key players as well

Meanwhile, PSG are also dealing with several absences. Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos and Desire Doue are confirmed to miss the trip to Barcelona.

Dembele, the Ballon d’Or winner, picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with France. He will continue his recovery in Qatar.

Ousmane Dembele will miss the Barcelona tie. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images for Qatar Airways)

Marquinhos is unavailable due to a quadriceps injury in his left leg, while Doue, who also returned injured from France duty, is sidelined with a calf problem.

That makes three confirmed losses for the European champions, with the possibility of a fourth.

Kvaratskhelia will be assessed

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s fitness remains uncertain after he was forced off in PSG’s last game.

He did not train on Monday, and although his condition is being closely monitored, PSG are unwilling to take any risks with the Georgian star. His inclusion in the squad list will only be decided at the last minute.

Despite these setbacks, PSG arrive in Barcelona with some encouraging news. Vitinha, who was substituted as a precaution against Auxerre, is fully fit and available to start.

Furthermore, both Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, who missed the Auxerre clash, have also recovered and will be in contention to feature.