Paris Saint-Germain will face FC Barcelona this Tuesday, October 20th at the Parc des Princes, with the Champions League match going ahead as scheduled by authorities despite urban violence in Paris over the weekend. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ruled out any postponement, stating that protective measures would be fully implemented.
The match, part of the third matchday of the group stage, is classified as a risk level 2 out of 5 by the national anti-hooliganism division. Between 1,100 and 1,300 security personnel will be mobilised inside the stadium, with five squadrons of CRS and mobile gendarmerie deployed around the perimeter. Over 2,000 Catalan supporters are expected in the capital.
“There will never be any conditionality on measures to protect property and people,” said Laurent Nuñez. The security plan established before the weekend's incidents has not been altered and the match will not be played behind closed doors.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique condemned the violence but stated his squad is focused on the sporting challenge. “He indicated he is not afraid and hopes the match takes place under the usual conditions,” he said. The Parisian club, sitting second in the Ligue 1 table with 14 points from seven games, approaches this fixture with confidence following their comprehensive 4-2 victory over this same Barcelona side. Désiré Doué, assisted by João Neves, Lucas Hernández, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz, assisted by Achraf Hakimi, were on the scoresheet in that decisive win. The team has scored 14 goals while conceding nine in the league this campaign.
This key European fixture comes as Paris Saint-Germain strings together strong performances, with three wins and two losses in their last five matches across all competitions. This recent run includes a 3-1 win over Le Mans and a 2-1 victory at Marseille. The team must then focus on a top-of-the-table clash in the league, hosting current leaders Olympique Lyonnais this Saturday, October 25th. The absences of the sidelined A. Longoni and N. Mendes are noted for the run-in. Top scorer Ferran Torres, with four goals this season, will be a key asset for the upcoming fixtures.
The priority for officials remains the safety of all to allow this European encounter to proceed under the best possible conditions, as the club continues its ambitions on all fronts.
Background and full detail: RMC Sport Football
