Kvaratskhelia to undergo ACL surgery as PSG lose three players to injury

PSG face lengthy Kvaratskhelia absence

Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Tuesday’s 4-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona. The club has not announced a timetable for his return.

Kvaratskhelia was substituted in the 59th minute after a challenge with Xavi Espart left him unable to put weight on his right leg. The injury is a significant setback for PSG, who had moved ahead late in a match that was level at 2-2 entering its final 10 minutes.

Dembele and Marquinhos also sidelined

PSG also confirmed that Ousmane Dembele and Marquinhos will be out for “a few weeks.” Dembele limped off with a left thigh injury, while Marquinhos sustained an injury to his right thigh.

Despite the setbacks, PSG maintained their winning start to their Champions League title defence and sit top of the table with three victories from three matches. Coach Luis Enrique praised the team’s mentality after the Barcelona win, saying: “Mentality and attitude are in our DNA.” He said he did not consider PSG favourites, adding that April’s knockout matches would be decisive and that “we have to win every match” in the meantime.

“Of course; I have the best players in the world,” Luis Enrique said. “They are the best for me. There are no better players than us.”