‘PSG’s intensity against Bayern in the UCL semi-final has left its mark’: Mendes, Pacho and Zaire-Emery to miss Ligue 1 match against Brest

Champions League finalist Paris Saint-Germain will miss several players for Sunday’s Ligue 1 match at home against Brest due to injury.

Central defender Willian Pacho and left back Nuno Mendes have minor right thigh injuries, while midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery has been ruled out due to lower back pain, the club said in its pre-match medical bulletin on Saturday.

PSG were already without star right-back Achraf Hakimi and backup goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier due to thigh injuries.

Coach Luis Enrique said there would be several young players in the squad and urged fans and media not to criticize them if they make mistakes. Last Saturday, PSG academy striker Pierre Mounguengue came on as a second-half substitute and then gave the ball away for the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Lorient.

PSG eliminated Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday and will defend the European crown against Premier League leaders Arsenal in Budapest on May 30.

Luis Enrique said the double-header against Bayern, in which PSG won 5-4 in the first leg in Paris, had a physical impact.

Also read | Real Madrid’s Arbeloa asks to ‘turn the page’ after fight between Valverde and Tchouaméni

«None of the players are seriously injured, but it is true that the intensity of the two matches has left its mark,» he said. “I watched the match again and I am very proud of what we did.”

He praised 20-year-old forward Desire Doue, who scored twice in last season’s 5-0 defeat by Inter Milan in the Champions League final and is set to make his 100th PSG appearance. Doue was excellent against Bayern, tormenting the defense with his pace, movement and skill across both legs.

“He is a very important player, very young but with many technical and physical qualities,” said Luis Enrique. “He is constantly improving.”

PSG have not yet clinched the Ligue 1 title, but the defending champions can do so on Wednesday against second-placed Lens in a rescheduled match from April.

Lens defeated Nantes 1-0 on Friday.

Published on May 9, 2026