As Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona prepare to clash in the next UEFA Champions League matchweek the stage is set for a showdown that promises fireworks where Parisian flair meets Catalan magic, and every moment could spark a new chapter in this historic rivalry, from historic comebacks to historic price tags these 2 clubs have almost seen it all in the past many years. There’s also a lot of added context and sparks due to the recently held Balon D’Or Ceremony where former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele edged out his main contenders from Barca being Lamine Yamal and Raphina.
The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona is set to kick off on October 1, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their opening matches, with PSG thrashing Atalanta 4-0 and Barcelona just edging past Newcastle United 2-1 with an impressive brace from Rashford.
Match Details:
- Date: October 1, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM BST (3:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM PT, 12.30 AM IST)
- Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain
Head-to-Head:
In their last meeting, PSG secured a thrilling 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals, winning 6-4 on aggregate. This match will be another test of strength between these two European giants.
The upcoming match between PSG and Barcelona will feature two highly experienced coaches:
Luis Enrique, the current manager of Paris Saint-Germain and the former Barca manager is a Spanish football manager and former player. He previously managed Barcelona, leading them to a treble in his first year and a double in the second. Enrique is known for his incisive and direct football style, featuring quick transitions from defense to attack.
Hansi Flick is set to manage Barcelona in this match. Flick’s appointment has already reaped huge rewards for Barcelona as under his tutelage they have already completed a historic domestic treble in his debut season and also inflicting heavy defeats on arch rivals Real Madrid and also having a splendid run in the previous seasons UCL narrowly missing out in last year’s final being knocked out by eventual finalists Inter Milan.
Both coaches have impressive track records, and their strategies will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match. Luis Enrique’s experience in big games, including his time at Barcelona and PSG, will be pitted against Flick’s tactical and high risk high reward approach, making this a fascinating matchup to watch.
Player Injuries for Barcelona :
Barcelona is facing a tough challenge ahead of their Champions League match against PSG on October 1, with several key players dealing with injuries. Here’s the lowdown on the team’s injury situation,
- Gavi: Out for at least four months after undergoing knee surgery. This is a significant blow to Barcelona, as Gavi has been an important player for the team.
- Marc-André ter Stegen: Sidelined until December due to a back injury.
- Alejandro Balde: Dealing with a hamstring injury, Balde’s return to the field is imminent, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll start against PSG. Given his injury history, the coaching staff might exercise caution and bring him on as a substitute.
- Lamine Yamal: Yamal has been progressing well with his groin injury, training with the ball, but his availability for the PSG match is still uncertain. Hansi Flick has hinted that Yamal might play a few minutes against Real Sociedad, potentially paving the way for his return against PSG.
- Frenkie de Jong: De Jong has recovered from muscle discomfort and is likely to be available for selection against PSG. This is a welcome boost for Barcelona’s midfield.
The injury list highlights the challenges Barcelona faces ahead of the big match, and Flick will need to carefully manage the team’s resources to ensure a strong performance against PSG.
Player Injuries for PSG:
PSG is dealing with a few injury concerns ahead of their Champions League match against Barcelona on October 1, 2025. Here are the players expected to miss the game :
- Joao Neves: Midfielder out with an injury, with no clear return date.
- Ousmane Dembélé: Right winger struggling with a hamstring injury, and his return timeline is uncertain. This is particularly worrying for PSG, given his recent Ballon d’Or win.
- Désiré Doué: Right winger sidelined with a calf injury, expected to return on October 6, 2025, which likely rules him out for this match.
- Bradley Barcola: Left winger nursing a hamstring injury, with no clear return date.
The club has expressed frustration over the care of their players during international duty, especially considering Dembélé and Doué picked up injuries while playing for France. A letter has reportedly been sent to the French FA president highlighting these concerns.
Players to watch out for:
FC Barcelona :
- Lamine Yamal: The young superstar who recently won the Kopa trophy for the 2nd consecutive time continuing to impress with his pace and skill on the wing, posing a significant threat to PSG’s defense.
- Raphinha: The Brazilian forward has been in excellent form, showcasing his goal-scoring ability and creativity, which could cause problems for PSG.
- Pedri: The young midfielder has been instrumental in Barcelona’s success, controlling the tempo of the game and creating scoring opportunities with his vision and passing range .
Paris Saint Germain :
- Vitinha: The PSG midfielder has been impressive, controlling the game’s tempo and creating scoring opportunities with his vision and passing range and also being crucial in the high intensity midfield of PSG. He was also instrumental in helping Portugal win their 2nd Nations League trophy.
- Achraf Hakimi: The Moroccan right-back has been in excellent form, showcasing his attacking prowess helping in chip important goals and assists and having defensive solidity. His blistering runs and aggressive positioning could cause problems for Barcelona’s defense who relatively struggled against high flying full backs as seen against Inter Milan last season
- Nuno Mendes: The Portuguese left-back has been solid behind while proving decisive up front. His work rate and defensive solidity will be crucial in neutralizing Barcelona’s wide threats. He was the best player on the field in the recently held final Nations League games earning plaudits for his performances against Germany and Spain in the final
Also earning the Man of the Match Award against Spain doing exceptionally well against Lamine Yamal and also providing crucial goals and assists in both of the games.
Predicted Lineups:
- Barcelona will go with their trusted 4-2-3-1
- Garcia,Martin,Cubarsi,Aroujo,Kounde,Pedri,DeJong,Rashford,Raphina,Yamal & Lewandoski.
- PSG may go with their recently introduced 3-5-2 due to the amount of injuries to their main attacking talents
- Chevalier,Pacho,Marquinhos,Zabarnyi,Hakimi,Vitinha,Ruiz,Zaire Emery Hakimi,Ramos & Kvaratskhelia.
