Lucas set to return to PSG Champions League starting XI against Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas is expected to make his first Champions League start in nearly 21 months when the French club host Barcelona in the third round of the group stage.

French journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that Lucas will be given the responsibility of marking Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal during the match. The assignment indicates that Lucas is set to operate at left-back.

According to Stats Foot, the 29 January 2025 fixture against Stuttgart was the last time Lucas started a Champions League match. His expected inclusion against Barcelona would therefore mark his return to the competition’s starting line-up after an absence of nearly 21 months.

The game will see Paris Saint-Germain face Barcelona on home soil, with Lucas set to play a key defensive role against Yamal.

Mubarak Haruna

Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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