PSG hammered Barcelona 4-2 in the Champions League, but the result came with a significant cost. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, limped off after just 20 minutes with an injury recurrence. His fragile fitness record struck again at the worst possible moment.
The victory itself was dominant. PSG controlled the tie and picked apart Barcelona's defense with ruthless efficiency. Four goals against a rival of Barcelona's pedigree is a statement in European football, especially in the knockout stages where margins compress and mistakes punish you.
But Dembélé's injury adds real complexity to PSG's campaign. He's their crown jewel in attack, the player who justifies the investment and carries their offensive load. Twenty minutes into a crucial Champions League match tells you everything about his durability concerns. PSG won without him, sure, but relying on reinforcements for a deep run in Europe is not the position any team wants to be in.
The win matters. The injury matters more, because PSG can't win the Champions League without their best attacking talent staying on the pitch.