Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes exited the pitch with a suspected injury during the 86th minute of a Ligue 1 fixture against Strasbourg, creating immediate concern three days before a UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona, Foot Mercato reported.
Nuno Mendes Exits Directly to the Dressing Room at Strasbourg
The Portugal international made way in the closing stages at Stade de la Meinau, heading straight down the tunnel without taking a seat on the bench. Having started the match on the bench as a substitute replacing Lucas Digne in the 53rd minute, Nuno Mendes did not last until the final whistle. Football Club, the defender’s departure forced Luis Enrique’s side to play out the final moments with 10 men because the team had already exhausted its allotted substitutions. Foot01 noted that the French champions secured a 3–1 victory on the night, yet the physical toll on the squad overshadowed the result as preparations began for European competition.
Maghnes Akliouche Sustains Heavy Challenge Amid Disputed Non-Call
Adding to the club’s fitness worries, forward Maghnes Akliouche absorbed a heavy challenge from Strasbourg defender Jeyland Mitchell late in the contest. Foot01 reported that neither referee Willy Delajod nor the video assistant referee division intervened to penalize the challenge with a card. Maghnes Akliouche finished the match limping heavily and nearly received a yellow card after going over to the referee to express incomprehension as to why Jeyland Mitchell had not been cautioned or even sent off following the tackle. Willy Delajod remained entirely unblinking, certain of not having missed a foul and unalerted by the VAR, before sending the Parisian player on his way. Photographic evidence circulating after the final whistle showed visible swelling on Akliouche’s ankle, leaving the coaching staff monitoring his recovery ahead of the continental fixture. RMC journalist Arthur Perrot noted that considerable astonishment persisted within the club hierarchy over the lack of disciplinary action for the challenge.
Medical Uncertainty Overshadows European Match Preparations
Neither the club’s medical staff nor team management issued an immediate diagnostic update regarding Nuno Mendes or Akliouche following the final whistle. But! Football Club observed that no timeline or precise diagnosis had been established for the left-back, whose physical record includes prior muscular and physical interruptions since arriving in the French capital. Onze Mondial highlighted that Luis Enrique personally directed the defender toward the locker room immediately after Ousmane Dembélé scored the team’s second goal, leaving the technical staff to weigh whether the withdrawal was strictly precautionary.
UEFA Champions League Fixture Looms at the Parc des Princes
Paris Saint-Germain faces FC Barcelona on Tuesday evening at the Parc des Princes in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The Paris Saint-Germain has received two concerning signals ahead of its scheduled encounter against FC Barcelona next Tuesday in the Champions League. Official injury updates from the club remain pending ahead of the pre-match training sessions.
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