PSG confirm Nuno Mendes out of Champions League clash with Barcelona after Strasbourg thigh injury
PSG dealt major defensive blow before Barcelona test
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that full-back Nuno Mendes will miss Tuesday night's Champions League showdown with Barcelona after picking up an injury at the weekend.
The Champions League holders released a short statement on the setback, confirming the problem is a thigh issue sustained during their latest Ligue 1 outing.
"Having sustained an injury to his left thigh during last night's match against RC Strasbourg Alsace, Nuno Mendes will be unavailable for the coming weeks," read a club statement.
The news is a significant one for the Parisians, who must now plan without a player widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in world football for a fixture that carries plenty of intrigue.
Why the Yamal duel now looks very different
Mendes' absence is especially pointed because of the man he would likely have been tasked with containing: Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
The Portuguese defender has previously been described by Yamal himself as one of the toughest opponents he has faced in his career, making the head-to-head one of the most anticipated individual battles of the European tie.
With Mendes now sidelined, that matchup is set to take on a completely different complexion, and PSG will have to find another way to blunt the threat of a player who has been in scintillating form this season.
Digne set for a Camp Nou reunion
The injury could open the door for former Barcelona defender Lucas Digne to come into the side and take on Yamal on Tuesday night.
Digne spent two years at Camp Nou earlier in his career before moving to the Premier League for spells with Everton and Aston Villa. The full-back then completed a switch to PSG in the summer transfer window, and he may now be called upon for one of the most demanding assignments in European football.
For Barcelona, the news removes a familiar obstacle as they prepare for a pivotal Champions League night, while PSG must reshuffle a defence that has already been tested by the demanding early-season schedule.