Sport|FootballBarcelona vs PSG: UEFA Champions League – team news, start time and lineupsThe two most decorated teams of the last European season meet in a Champions League Matchday 2 showdown in Spain.
Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase
Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase
Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain
Date: Wed, Oct 1, 2025, at 9 PM (19:00 GMT)
Coverage: Follow the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT with live text commentary.
The UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 will feature a key match between defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and five-time winners Barcelona. The fixture is scheduled at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.
Barcelona recently achieved a 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad, propelling them to the top of the La Liga standings. Goals from Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski secured the win. Barcelona currently holds 19 points, one point ahead of Real Madrid.
Last season, Barcelona remained undefeated at home in Champions League fixtures.
PSG is currently tied with Lyon at the top of Ligue 1 with 15 points. Their only defeat this season was a 1-0 loss to Marseille on September 22, with Nayef Aguerd scoring the decisive goal.
PSG's European campaign is affected by injuries, including Ousmane Dembele, who is out until mid-October with a hamstring strain. Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are also sidelined, impacting PSG's attacking options.
The UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 will feature a key match between defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and five-time winners Barcelona.
The last meeting occurred on April 16, 2024, when PSG defeated Barcelona 4-1 in the Champions League quarterfinals, advancing with a 6-4 aggregate victory. Goals from Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, and Kylian Mbappe contributed to PSG's win.
PSG’s Achievements in the 2024-25 Season
PSG secured four major trophies in the 2024-25 season: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League. They were runners-up in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Raphinha is unavailable due to a hamstring injury. Other absentees include Joan Garcia, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Wojciech Szczesny will replace ter Stegen, and Gerald Martin is likely to fill in for Garcia. Lamine Yamal is expected to return to the starting lineup.
PSG faces limited offensive options with Dembele, Doue, and Kvaratskhelia injured. Bradley Barcola is set to lead the attack. Marquinhos will miss the match due to a thigh issue. Vitinha and Joao Neves have been included in the squad.
Szczesny (goalkeeper); Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski
Chevalier (goalkeeper); Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Lee, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola
Total Matches: 13 Barcelona Wins: 5 PSG Wins: 4 Draws: 4
Barcelona: W-W-W-W-W (All competitions) PSG: W-W-W-L-W
Enrique (PSG): Expressed disappointment about the absence of key players for both teams.
Flick (Barcelona): Mentioned ongoing evaluations to address and adapt to the current injury challenges.
The league phase consists of 36 teams in a single table, replacing the previous group phase. Each team plays eight matches against different nations. The top 24 teams advance to the knockout phase, while the bottom 12 are eliminated.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League Schedule
Matchday 1: Sep 16-18, 2025 Matchday 2: Sep 30-Oct 1, 2025 Matchday 3: Oct 21-22, 2025 Matchday 4: Nov 4-5, 2025 Matchday 5: Nov 25-26, 2025 Matchday 6: Dec 9-10, 2025 Matchday 7: Jan 20-21, 2026 Matchday 8: Jan 28, 2026
The final will be held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, 2026.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.