PARIS (AP) — European champion Paris Saint-Germain won’t be as short-handed as initially feared when it begins the defense of its Champions League title.
PSG extended its perfect start in Ligue 1 with a fourth straight win over the weekend, but the victory was overshadowed by injuries to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lee Kang-in and Lucas Beraldo, all of whom were forced off the field.
But the club said Tuesday on the eve of hosting Serie A team Atalanta at Parc des Princes that only Beraldo remained “under treatment” after spraining his left ankle.
The update came as a relief for PSG, which is already without forwards Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué for the encounter.
PSG coach Luis Enrique said Lee was available while Kvaratskhelia's condition will be assessed again. The winger injured a calf on Sunday during the 2-0 win over Lens.
“With Kvara we need to see how he feels after training,” Luis Enrique told a press conference.
PSG triumphed in the Champions League in May with the biggest victory in a final, 5-0 over Inter Milan. Injuries aside, PSG has enjoyed a great start to the new season after winning the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham.
Luis Enrique said winning a second straight Champions League was an achievable goal.
“It will be difficult,” he said. “But for me, winning the first one is more difficult than the second, third, and so on. If we all have this mindset, we will try to win it. We’re the holders. We want to continue to make history. It’s important that we go for a second Champions League title.”
Luis Enrique is among the coaches who have won the league with multiple clubs. His did it with Barcelona in 2015.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.