PSG Faces Setback as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Suffers Ankle Injury in Champions League Thriller

The Parc des Princes has long been a cathedral of footballing dreams, where Paris Saint-Germain regularly weaves its tapestry of triumphs. Yet, on the evening of January 28, 2026, the hallowed ground witnessed both a flicker of brilliance and a shadow of misfortune as PSG locked horns with Newcastle United in a gripping UEFA Champions League encounter.

Amidst the chorus of chanting fans and the electric anticipation of European glory, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—PSG's dazzling winger—was forced to exit the stage all too early. In only the 22nd minute, with the score favoring the Parisians at 1-0 thanks to a well-taken penalty that rebounded into the path of Ousmane Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia limped off the pitch, clutching his right ankle. His departure marked a pivotal moment, as he was replaced by the promising but less experienced Désiré Doué.

The match itself unfolded with all the drama and intensity befitting a clash of European titans. PSG, despite taking an early lead, could not maintain their advantage, as Newcastle's Joe Willock nodded home an equalizer in the dying embers of the first half. This result, a 1-1 draw, was enough to see PSG slip out of the top eight, relegating them to the dreaded knockout play-off phase—a phase that offers no margin for error when the stakes are so high.

Luis Enrique, marking his 150th game as PSG's maestro from the sidelines, now faces the unenviable task of rallying his squad without one of his key attacking assets. The French giants' defensive frailties have been laid bare, as they've conceded their 10th goal in the last six matches—a statistic that underscores their current predicament.

The impending absence of Kvaratskhelia, expected to be sidelined for eight to ten days, adds to PSG's woes ahead of their Ligue 1 clash against a resurgent Strasbourg. Under the stewardship of Gary O'Neil, Strasbourg has been on an unbeaten run since the managerial change, posing a formidable challenge to the Parisians' domestic aspirations.

As the European campaign reaches a critical juncture, PSG's path to the Round of 16 is fraught with uncertainty. The upcoming play-off draw will determine whether they face AS Monaco or Qarabag, with potential future battles against powerhouses like Barcelona or Chelsea looming large. The echoes of past triumphs and tribulations at the Parc des Princes remind us that every setback is but a prelude to redemption.