Luis Enrique has faith in Ramos amid Dembele's absence for PSG

Luis Enrique has praised Goncalo Ramos' professionalism ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 clash with Strasbourg.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele is currently out injured, with Luis Enrique admitting that he was unsure how long the Frenchman would be on the sidelines.

In his absence, more of the onus falls onto Ramos, who is yet to score in the league this term, with PSG looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw last time out.

"Of course. He's an important player for us," Luis Enrique said of Ramos.

"He's a professional, and I'm very happy with his performances. You judge players by their performances, their output – forwards go through different phases. We have confidence in Goncalo."

Marquinhos, Desiree Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are also on PSG's injury list heading into Friday's clash, and though he did not confirm their availability, Luis Enrique noted his frustration at not having a full squad to choose from.

"Injuries are part of high-level football," he said. "We seek to improve the health of players.

"When we get players back, and they start training, it's easy for me to see how they are doing and if they are ready. To see if a player is ready, you have to wait to see him on the pitch."

PSG were held to a 1-1 draw by Lille before the international break, but they are yet to lose on home soil this season, beating Auxerre 2-0 in their most recent outing at the Parc des Princes.

And they face a tough test in Strasbourg, who are third in Ligue 1, just one point behind leaders PSG. Liam Rosenior's side have lost one of their last four matches, and ran out 5-0 winners over Angers last time out.

"We want to prepare every match in the same way. When everyone is available, it's nice," Luis Enrique added.

"Otherwise, we still need to prepare well. Since our start here, we've always tried to do the same thing: have the capacity to manage matches and be dominant.

"That's important for us, it's our mentality. But you have to adapt every year – opponents analyse, and we still need to improve."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Paris Saint-Germain – Bradley Barcola

Bradley Barcola has scored with three of his 11 shots following a carry in Ligue 1 this season, the joint-most of any player in Europe's big five leagues.

He is PSG's joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 this season (level with Joao Neves), while he has also created eight chances for his team-mates, though he is yet to register an assist despite accumulating 1.9 expected assists (xA).

Strasbourg – Joaquin Panichelli

Only Kylian Mbappe (13) has won more possession in the final third more often than Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli (11) in the big five European leagues this season.

Panichelli has scored five goals, more than any PSG player has managed, having generated 5.0 expected goals (xG) from his 18 attempts.

MATCH PREDICTION: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN WIN

PSG are unbeaten in their 34 home games against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 (W27 D7), the most home games by a team against another without losing in the history of the top-flight.

And they have won three Ligue 1 matches by two or more goals this season, the joint-most with Marseille, though they have only done so fewer times after seven Ligue 1 matches in two previous seasons under QSI ownership (one in 2011-12, two in 2013-14).

However, Strasbourg will put up a stern test. They have won 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2025 (D4 L5), their best tally over a calendar year since 1996 (18). Only PSG (19) have won more in the top-flight this year.

PSG have kept three consecutive clean sheets at home in Ligue 1, as many as in their previous 16 home games in the competition. 

Strasbourg, meanwhile, have conceded five goals in their last two Ligue 1 away games, as many as in their previous 11 combined in the competition.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Paris Saint-Germain – 69.7%

Draw – 16.9%

Strasbourg – 13.4%