PSG Hit by Injuries to Dembele and Doue Ahead of Champions League Opener

By Eppe Franklyne

• Dembele ruled out for six weeks with hamstring injury
• Doue sidelined for four weeks with calf strain
• Injuries occurred during France’s World Cup qualifier vs Ukraine
• PSG face Atalanta on Sept. 17 before key clashes with Marseille, Auxerre and Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain’s preparations for the Champions League suffered a setback after the club confirmed on Saturday that Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue will miss several weeks through injury.

Dembele, who limped off in France’s World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine on Friday, has been diagnosed with a serious hamstring problem that will keep him out for up to six weeks. Doue also sustained a calf strain in the same game and is expected to be sidelined for around four weeks.

“Ousmane Dembele has suffered a serious injury to his right hamstring. He is expected to be unavailable for around six weeks,” PSG said in a statement. “Also picking up an injury during the encounter, Desire Doue suffered a strain in his right calf and will be out for around four weeks.”

The double blow comes less than two weeks before PSG begins its Champions League title defence against Atalanta on September 17. The Ligue 1 champions also face Marseille and Auxerre in the coming weeks before a high-profile group-stage clash against Barcelona, Dembele’s former club, on October 1.

France, meanwhile, will be without both players for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland in Group D.