Despite the weekend riots, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has confirmed that PSG-Barcelona will go ahead on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes. Coach Luis Enrique wants to stay focused on the pitch, while Achraf Hakimi, PSG’s full-back, will be a key link in the back line.
The question was finally settled at the highest level. On Monday, at Matignon, Laurent Nuñez publicly ruled out any challenge to the European matches scheduled in France, after the country saw riots and urban looting over the weekend. “The question does not arise for (Tuesday) evening’s match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona Football Club and for other matches that may take place in European competition,” the minister said at a press briefing alongside Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, according to SeneNews.
Paris Saint-Germain, for its part, confirmed it had received no approach or official request regarding a possible postponement of the Champions League clash, TV5MONDE reports. Kick-off therefore remains scheduled for this Tuesday, 20 October at 21:00 at the Parc des Princes, according to PSG.fr. LOSC’s European match in Lille is also among the fixtures being maintained.
Luis Enrique wants to talk football
At his pre-match press conference in Poissy on Monday, Paris coach Luis Enrique said he wanted to stay entirely focused on the pitch. “I’m not afraid, I hope the match can go ahead under normal conditions. I’m here to talk about football. But it’s clear we don’t like this kind of violence, but that’s society. We have to stay focused on football,” he told TV5MONDE Info.
His message brings attention back to the pitch.
Hakimi up against the Catalan flank
Morocco full-back Achraf Hakimi will be one of the key links in the Paris back line as they look to contain the Catalan flank, according to TV5MONDE.
That is because Lamine Yamal’s FC Barcelona are averaging an exceptional 4.3 goals per game this season, with 48 goals scored in 11 matches, according to the same source.
Paris SG arrive in confident mood after their resounding 4-2 win at Manchester City last week, TV5MONDE reports.
Localised curfews, no general measure
While localised curfews have been announced by the government in several urban areas, the capital itself is avoiding a general curfew, according to TV5MONDE. These measures come on top of the minister’s announcement: European matches remain on.
Kick-off for PSG v FC Barcelona is set for this Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 21:00 at the Parc des Princes, according to PSG.fr.