No rush for Luis Enrique to recruit new players amid PSG's injury crisis

Luis Enrique called for calm over reinforcements to try and combat Paris Saint-Germain's ongoing injury crisis ahead of taking on rivals Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday. 

PSG's perfect start to their Champions League title defence came to an end on Tuesday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at Parc des Princes after Luis Diaz's double.

And along with the result, the Parisiens also lost Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele and Nuno Mendes to injury, joining their already sizeable list of unavailable players. 

Given the scale of their absentees, Luis Enrique even questioned his own management of those injured players amid PSG's recently congested fixture schedule. 

"It is something I should handle much better, given all of my experience," Luis Enrique said. When you recover injured players, they're not at 100%.

"That's something I need to manage better. It's a long season, and it's about how you handle these moments."

PSG confirmed Ballon d'Or winner Dembele picked up a calf injury and needs a "few weeks" of treatment in what has been a frustrating season for the Frenchman. 

Hakimi, meanwhile, was diagnosed with a severely sprained left ankle and faces several weeks out too, while Mendes sprained his left knee.

"We are always open to transfer opportunities, but there's no rush, no need to hurry," Luis Enrique added.

The trio's absence adds to a growing injury list that already included Desire Doue, who was stretchered off with a thigh problem in a Ligue 1 game at Lorient last week.

"Everything has to be planned," the Spaniard added. "There's no problem, they're injuries, of course, but all teams have them. We're calm and relaxed, not worried."

PSG's defeat to Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga leaders marked just their second loss across all competitions in 2025-26, having been defeated in the league by Marseille.

But Luis Enrique believes their clash with Lyon offers the perfect platform for his players to return to winning ways ahead of the final international break of the year. 

"I like to see the reaction from my players following a defeat. When you get into the dressing room after a loss, you can see and analyse a lot of things," he said. 

"I can see what they are like, how they work in training. And with everything I see, I am very happy and positive.

"The match at Lyon will be a great opportunity to show who we are as a team. We are approaching this match with a lot of ambition."

Lyon, meanwhile, have recovered from a two-game losing run by going unbeaten in their last three Ligue 1 matches, the last of which was a goalless draw with Brest. 

Paulo Fonseca's side are sixth in the standings after Saturday's action, but know a victory over PSG will move them into the top four.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lyon – Tyler Morton

Since signing for Lyon in the summer, Tyler Morton has been an impressive addition to the club's midfield, creating more chances (12) than any of his team-mates in Ligue 1.

He has also taken the most corners in Ligue 1 this season (39), but none of them have resulted directly or indirectly in a goal (16 shots and 1.3 xG combined).

PSG – Lee Kang-in

Lee Kang-in could make his 100th appearance for PSG this weekend, and will be aiming to build on his impressive substitute cameo against Bayern in the Champions League.

He has been involved in an average of 6.9 shots every 90 minutes this season (23 shots and 28 chances created in 664 minutes), the highest ratio among Ligue 1 players with 500+ minutes in 2025-26 in all competitions.

MATCH PREDICTION: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN WIN

After 11 games in Ligue 1 2025-26, PSG are top with 24 points. In the last 20 years, of the only four teams leading with 24 points or fewer at this stage, none have won the title at the end of the season (Lyon third in 2008-09, Brest 16th in 2010-11, Marseille second in 2012-13 and PSG second in 2020-21).

However, the Parisiens have often relished this fixture. Lyon have lost each of their last four matches against PSG in Ligue 1, but have not suffered five consecutive defeats against the same opponent in the top-flight since 1982-1991 against Nancy (five).

Lyon have also conceded at least one goal in each of their last 11 home games against PSG in Ligue 1 (20 goals conceded in total). This is their longest run against the same opponent at home in the top-flight.

However, Fonseca's side have won each of their four matches against teams currently ranked in the top seven of Ligue 1 2025-26, while PSG have only taken five points out of a possible 12 against such opponents.

And while both teams have impressive attacking options, it could take a moment of magic to open the scoring. Lyon and PSG are the two teams with the most clean sheets in Ligue 1 2025-26 (six each). Luis Enrique's team are only one away from their tally from last season.

But should this weekend's hosts take the lead, it may be difficult for PSG to overhaul. Lyon are the team that has led for the longest time in Ligue 1 this season (422 minutes), as well as the team that has been behind for the shortest time (85).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Lyon – 26.5%

Draw – 24.6%

PSG – 48.9%