PSG leave out Barcola and Dembele for Lille trip

Paris Saint-Germain have named their squad for Friday’s Ligue 1 match at Lille without Bradley Barcola, who has again been omitted by manager Luis Enrique, while Ousmane Dembele has also been left out after being given a rest by agreement with the coach.

PSG travel to face Lille at 21:45 on Friday in the second round of the Ligue 1 season. Barcola’s continued absence comes as speculation links the France international with a move to Liverpool during the current summer transfer window.

Dembele will not feature after reaching an agreement with Enrique to take a break. The forward’s omission is therefore separate from the ongoing decision not to include Barcola.

PSG began their league campaign with a draw and sit sixth in the early table. Lille are third with three points after the opening round.

The squad selected by Enrique is:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Matvey Safonov, Alessandro Longoni

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mayulu, Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez

Midfielders: Warren Zaire-Emery, Fabian Ruiz, Maghnes Akliouche, Vitinha

Forwards: Dru, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Mika Godts, Desire Doue

The decision to leave out Barcola maintains his absence from the PSG team for the meeting with Lille, at a time when his name continues to be associated with Liverpool. No reason for his omission is given in the squad announcement.

Dembele’s absence has been explained by the club as part of an agreed period of rest with Enrique. PSG will therefore travel without two of the attacking options mentioned in connection with the fixture, although Kvaratskhelia, Godts and Doue are included among the forwards.

The match will be Lille’s first home fixture of the new campaign and gives them the opportunity to build on their three-point start. PSG, meanwhile, are seeking their first league win after being held to a draw in the opening round.

With the sides separated by three places in the early standings, PSG are sixth and Lille third before Friday’s encounter. The complete squad includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, four midfielders and four forwards, with the travelling group confirmed ahead of the fixture.