PSG's Dembele and Kvaratskhelia suffer injuries in Barcelona Champions League clash

Ballon d'Or winner Dembele was the first to exit, pulling up with a left thigh injury in the 19th minute while running down the left flank. The 29-year-old signalled to the PSG bench immediately and was substituted, with Spain's World Cup-winning forward Ferran Torres replacing him on the pitch.

Kvaratskhelia's injury came later in the contest, as the Georgian winger suffered a right foot injury in the 59th minute after landing awkwardly while sprinting back to defend against Barcelona's Xavi Espart. The forward appeared to be in considerable discomfort before being assisted from the field, with French winger Maghnes Akliouche taking his place.

The injuries add to PSG's mounting fitness concerns heading into a crucial phase of their season. The club was already without star left back Nuno Mendes against Barcelona due to a thigh injury. Dembele, 29, has been managed carefully by coach Luis Enrique, who used him sparingly in Ligue 1 last season and has already rested him twice in the domestic league this campaign.

Dembele has endured persistent injury struggles throughout his career, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the Champions League campaign. PSG will hope the injuries to their key attacking players prove to be minor as they look to progress in Europe's premier club competition.