Barcelona vs. PSG lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury crisis latest as Lamine Yamal faces holders

Feargal Brennan

Barcelona vs. PSG lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury crisis latest as Lamine Yamal faces holders image

Barcelona face off with UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in a mouth-watering clash on October 1.

Hansi Flick's side welcome the Parisians to Catalonia in matchweek two in a game that could have been last season's final.

Barcelona looked set to book their spot in the showpiece against former boss Luis Enrique, but they were denied in the semifinals by a well-drilled Inter Milan team after a dramatic second leg. The Nerazzurri were then brushed aside 5-0 in the final by PSG.

A first-ever UCL crown settled years of frustration in the French capital, and this is a fixture filled with subplots. Luis Enrique back in Barcelona is just one angle, alongside Lamine Yamal facing PSG just weeks after losing the Ballon d'Or race to Ousmane Dembele.

The France international will miss out through injury, though, along with a host of other key players for both sides.

MORE: Real Sociedad star claims referee 'accepted mistake' in Barcelona defeat

Barcelona vs. PSG lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury crisis latest

Lamine Yamal played a late cameo off the bench in Barcelona's 2-1 weekend La Liga win over Real Sociedad, and the 18-year-old will start.

Raphinha is out until after the international break with a muscle issue and Wojciech Szczesny will continue as cover for the injured Joan Garcia in goal. Gavi and Fermin Lopez are also sidelined, but fellow academy graduate Alejandro Balde may be fit enough for the matchday squad.

Marcus Rashford scored his first Barcelona goals in their opening UCL win at Newcastle United earlier this month and the England international will be paired with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in the hosts' attack.

Barcelona predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin — Pedri, De Jong — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Rashford — Lewandowski.

Injured: Raphinha (muscle), Gavi (knee), Lopez (groin), Balde (hamstring, doubt), Ter Stegen (back), J. Garcia (knee)
Suspended: None


Dembele is not the only key player missing through injury for the visitors with three stars being added to Luis Enrique's absentee list before the flight to Barcelona.

Desire Doue and Joao Neves are both expected to be out until at least mid-October alongside captain Marquinhos

Late checks will be made on Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with the latter two viewed as more of a concern due to muscular issues.

PSG predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Chevalier (GK) — Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Mendes — Zaire-Emery, Mayulu — Lee, Barcola, Mendes — Ramos

Injured: Dembele (hamstring), Doue (calf), Marquinhos (muscle), Neves (hamstring) Vitinha (muscle, doubt), Ruiz (muscle, doubt), Kvaratskhelia (muscle, doubt)
Suspended: None

Barcelona vs. PSG match details

  • Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 
  • Kickoff time: 9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 5 a.m. AEST (October 2)
  • Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona (Spain)
  • Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase matchday two
  • Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
  • VAR: Jarred Gillett (ENG)

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.