Akliouche ankle injury from controversial tackle threatens Barcelona clash

Maghnes Akliouche left Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-3 victory at Strasbourg with an ankle injury on Saturday after receiving a heavy tackle from Strasbourg defender Jeyland Mitchell. The French international must undergo medical tests on Sunday morning, and his presence against FC Barcelona on Tuesday evening appears compromised.

The incident immediately sparked anger among PSG supporters. While Mitchell does touch the ball first, his intervention extends onto Akliouche’s standing foot, with the latter’s sock torn at ankle height — an image circulating widely that illustrates the force of the contact. VAR did not intervene.

Despite the pain, Akliouche played until the final whistle, as PSG had already made all their substitutions at the time of the incident. PSG also lost Nuno Mendes to a muscle injury late in the match, finishing the game with a severely depleted squad.

The victory at Strasbourg fits the logic of deliberate rotation by Luis Enrique as the club approaches European commitments. But the mounting injury concerns late in the match cloud what could have been a flawless afternoon for the capital club. The state of Akliouche’s ankle will be the main concern in the coming hours before the trip to or reception of Barcelona.