# Désiré Doué confirmed as PSG's offensive reference after Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé injuries

> With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffering a knee ligament rupture and Ousmane Dembélé facing a right thigh issue, Désiré Doué is now Paris Saint-Germain’s main attacking reference ahead of the Lyon match on Monday, October 26, 2026.

- Source : https://www.psg-news.com/en/article/desire-doue-confirmed-as-psg-s-lead-attacker-after-injuries-to-kvaratskhelia-and-dembele
- Published on : 2026-10-26T07:53:31+00:00
- Modified : 2026-10-26T07:53:42+00:00
- Lang : en
- Publisher : PSG News (https://www.psg-news.com/)
- Tags : desire-doue, khvicha-kvaratskhelia, ousmane-dembele, psg
- Other languages : fr: https://www.psg-news.com/article/desire-doue-confirme-comme-referent-offensif-du-psg-apres-les-blessures-de-kvaratskhelia-et-dembele
- Photo : Bryan Berlin, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desire_Doue_France_v_Morocco_9_July_2026-160.jpg

## Key takeaways

- Désiré Doué scored against Manchester City on October 14, 2026 (13th) and against Barcelona on October 20, 2026 (38th) and provided an assist in both games.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffers a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee and will be absent at least until spring 2027.
- Ousmane Dembélé is unavailable for several weeks due to a right thigh injury.
- Luis Enrique asked not to overburden Doué, while using him as an offensive focal point ahead of PSG - Lyon on October 26, 2026.

## A strengthened status thanks to recent performances
Désiré Doué, Paris Saint-Germain's winger, has seen his role in the attack solidify in recent weeks. His contributions were decisive in the two latest European wins: he opened the scoring against Manchester City on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 (13th minute) and against FC Barcelona on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (38th minute). In both matches, he also delivered a assist — first for Ousmane Dembélé at the Etihad, then for Lucas Hernández at the Parc des Princes — reinforcing his offensive importance for Luis Enrique.

## Management response and alternatives
Luis Enrique has been careful not to overburden Doué with responsibilities in his press conference ahead of the Ligue 1 clash against Lyon, scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM at the Parc des Princes. The coach stresses the need for the player to stay in his natural role and continue to produce his game. The Paris staff can also rely on Maghnès Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts, who remain in the process of adaptation since their summer arrivals, to partly offset the absences.

## Immediate sporting impact
The current context makes Doué the most forward-facing figure in Paris' offensive line. His recent actions against high-level opponents (Manchester City and Barcelona) show his ability to make a difference with his finishing and decisive through balls. These performances position the young player as the top option to destabilize opposing defenses in the coming weeks, particularly from the Lyon match on Sunday, October 26, 2026, at the Parc des Princes.

Buteurs et faits marquants récents (sélection):
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Manchester City 2-4 Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League) — [PSG](/en/tag/psg) scorers: Désiré Doué 13', Ousmane Dembélé 15', Vitinha 32', Maghnes Akliouche 62'.
- Saturday, October 17, 2026, Strasbourg 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1) — PSG scorers: Illia Zabarnyi 77', Ousmane Dembélé 85', Désiré Doué 90'+3'.
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Barcelona (Champions League) — PSG scorers: Désiré Doué 38', Lucas Hernández 72', Vitinha 81', Fabián Ruiz 86'.

The upcoming PSG schedule:
- Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM (Paris time): Paris Saint-Germain - Lyon (Ligue 1, Parc des Princes).
- Friday, October 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Paris time): Le Havre AC - Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, Stade Océane).
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM (Paris time): Villarreal - Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League, Estadio de la Cerámica).

## Your questions, our answers

**Who is now PSG's offensive reference?**

Désiré Doué is considered PSG's offensive reference after the recent performances and the injuries to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé.

**What injuries deprive PSG of attacking players?**

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee and will be absent at least until spring, while Ousmane Dembélé is out for several weeks due to a right thigh injury.

**What is PSG's next match?**

The next match is Paris Saint-Germain - Lyon, Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM at the Parc des Princes.


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