Football essentials, October 21: Kvaratskhelia needs surgery, PSG v Lyon under threat, Ligue 1 opens its TV tender

PSG beat Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday night and lost three players along the way. On Wednesday the medical bulletins condemned a season, the Paris préfecture de police put the weekend’s biggest domestic fixture in doubt, and Ligue 1 opened the next battle, its television rights. Here is October 21 in brief.

Kvaratskhelia needs surgery, his season is over

Ousmane Dembélé went off in the first half, Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just before the hour: the evening cost Paris dear. Wednesday’s verdict fell on the Georgian, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee, surgery to come, his season probably over. Everything in the club statement is broken down in our report.

Dani Olmo will miss the Clásico

Barcelona did not escape unharmed either. Dani Olmo, taken off after a clash with Vitinha, has injured his left adductor, and the month out confirmed by the club on Wednesday rules him out of Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid. Hansi Flick admitted at the final whistle that the coming duel had already shaped his team selection. Our morning report has the rest.

PSG v Lyon: Sunday under threat

The matchday eight headliner, set for Sunday evening at the Parc des Princes, could yet be moved: the préfecture de police wants it postponed, after a weekend of violence that already pushed Toulouse v Troyes to Sunday and Montpellier v Red Star to Monday. A new date is taking shape, but nothing had been signed off by Wednesday evening.

Lille under guard, Lens in Bruges

Champions League football continues tonight. Lille host Galatasaray in a match the authorities classed as high risk; the Turkish club had asked UEFA for security guarantees, for its delegation and its supporters, after the weekend’s violence. The French club says it is serene, and Victor Osimhen is back for the visitors. Lens travel to Bruges without Ismaëlo Ganiou, out despite a simple bruised knee: our report has the details.

Bayern v Arsenal, cut down already

The evening’s other showpiece is in Munich, and it is losing men before kickoff. Joshua Kimmich is out after a family bereavement, while Vincent Kompany, unwell, missed training and the eve-of-match press conference. A fixture that could set the tone in the group. Our report on Kimmich’s absence has the detail.

TV rights: the date is 3 November

The LFP board approved on Wednesday the launch of a tender for Ligue 1 broadcasting rights covering 2027-2032. It opens on 3 November, while the current deal runs to 2029: the league chose to anticipate. Our report breaks the decision down.

Ndombele on trial at Rubin Kazan

Tanguy Ndombele began a trial at Rubin Kazan on Wednesday, announced by the Russian club on Instagram. A free agent since leaving Nice in May, the 29-year-old France midfielder, capped seven times, is looking for a new stage after a season of just 13 appearances for Nice. An unexpected rebound for a player still without a club in late October.