Barcelona's German coach Hansi Flick gestures as he addresses the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain. (AFP)
Barcelona's German coach Hansi Flick gestures as he addresses the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain. (AFP)
PSG's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique speaks during a press conference in Poissy, west of Paris, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona. (AFP)
PSG's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique speaks during a press conference in Poissy, west of Paris, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona. (AFP)
Hansi Flick has confirmed that Raphinha could return to Barcelona's starting XI against Paris St Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League, amid a defensive injury crisis.
The Catalan club lost both Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia to injury on Sunday, leaving them with just five fit senior defenders.
Raphinha could make first start for Barcelona since September 19 after hamstring issue.
Garcia, Kounde and Andreas Christensen will all miss blockbuster PSG clash through injury.
Flick says Kounde will be back "soon" and could play against Real Madrid on Sunday.
Midfielders Rodri Hernandez and Frenkie de Jong cited by Flick as makeshift options for backline.
Teenage centre back Alex Campos in squad for PSG game. The 18-year-old has yet to make Barcelona debut.
** UEFA Champions League Fixtures
Tuesday, October 20 fixtures (CET/GMT)
Sabah v Borussia Dortmund (1645)
Fenerbahçe v Slavia Praha (1645)
Roma v Slovan Bratislava (1900)
Manchester City v AEK Athens (1900)
Napoli v Bodø / Glimt (1900)
Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona (1900)
Stuttgart v Atlético de Madrid (1900)
Porto v PSV (1900) Liverpool v Villarreal (1900)
Wednesday, October 21 fixtures (CET/GMT) Lille v Galatasaray (1645)
Como v Manchester United (1645)
Sporting CP v LASK (1900) Aston Villa v Viking (1900)
Internazionale v Shakhtar Donetsk (1900)
Real Betis v Feyenoord (1900)
Real Madrid v RB Leipzig (1900)
Bayern München v Arsenal (1900)
Club Brugge v Lens (1900)
[PSG's French forward Ousmane Dembele (centre) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with teammates 14 Desire Doue and Maghnes Akliouche during the French L1 match against RC Strasbourg Alsace at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on October 17, 2026. (AFP)
PSG's French forward Ousmane Dembele (centre) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with teammates 14 Desire Doue and Maghnes Akliouche during the French L1 match against RC Strasbourg Alsace at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on October 17, 2026. (AFP)](https://www.gulf-times.com/article/736001/sport/football/dembele-atones-for-penalty-miss-in-psg-win-at-strasbourg)
[Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has been issued a four-match suspension following his red card for hair-pulling against Villarreal last week.
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has been issued a four-match suspension following his red card for hair-pulling against Villarreal last week.](https://www.gulf-times.com/article/735810/sport/football/real-madrids-vinicius-banned-for-clasico-against-barcelona-after-red-card)