Barcelona Faces PSG in Thrilling UEFA Champions League Clash

BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona will host Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Wednesday, October 1, at 9 p.m. local time for a key UEFA Champions League match at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

This fixture marks the beginning of Matchday 2 in the Champions League, and both teams have made strong starts to their respective seasons. PSG defeated Atalanta 4-0 in their opening match, while Barcelona edged out Newcastle United 2-1.

Barcelona comes into this match with momentum after a comeback victory over Real Sociedad, climbing to the top of La Liga standings with 19 points, one above Real Madrid. “It was a team victory. They knew how to play and it was hard work, but we deserved it,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.

On the other hand, PSG sits level with Lyon at the top of Ligue 1, but they suffered a recent defeat against Marseille. Notably, they will be missing key players including Ousmane Dembélé, who is out with a hamstring injury, and Desire Doue with a calf injury.

Barcelona’s recent form includes winning six of their last seven matches, but they too have their share of injuries. Brazilian winger Raphinha will not play due to a hamstring issue, as well as goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and other starting players.

With the Champions League format undergoing changes this season, teams face eight fixtures in total during the league phase to determine their spots progressing to the knockout rounds.

The last time these teams met was on April 16, 2024, when PSG secured a dramatic 4-1 comeback victory, demonstrating their strong history in this competition.

After the match, Coach Luis Enrique shared, “It’s a shame to watch a game with so many important players not playing. This impacts both teams and their fans.” Meanwhile, Flick acknowledged the unusual number of injuries the team has been encountering.

The Champions League final is slated to take place in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, 2026, with teams eager to secure their place.