Kvaratskhelia shakes off calf injury to score for PSG in Champions league rout against Atalanta
PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Credit: AP/Thibault Camus
PARIS — Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shook off a calf injury to score a fine goal as Paris Saint-Germain began its Champions League title defense with a 4-0 home win over Atalanta on Wednesday.
The Georgia winger cut inside from the right flank and drove forward at speed, then skipped past a defender and drilled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi. That made it 2-0 after captain Marquinhos gave PSG an early lead at Parc des Princes. Winger Bradley Barcola then missed a penalty for PSG moments before halftime.
Kvaratskhelia showed no lingering effects from the injury he sustained during a 2-0 win over Lens in the French league.
“I had a little problem but the medical staff helped me a lot and I could play 100 percent,” he told broadcaster Canal Plus after collecting his man-of-the-match award.
Lee Kang-in, who was forced off the field against Lens, came on early in the second half for 19-year-old striker Senny Mayulu.
PSG was without injured forwards Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué against Serie A team Atalanta, giving Mayulu a rare start.
Brazil defender Lucas Beraldo was also sidelined after spraining his left ankle against Lens.
PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, centre, reacts during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Credit: AP/Thibault Camus
PSG triumphed in the Champions League final in May, 5-0 over Inter Milan, with Kvaratskhelia scoring the fourth goal and Mayulu grabbing the last.
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