Kvaratskhelia shakes off calf injury to score for PSG in Champions league rout against Atalanta

By Canadian Press on September 17, 2025.

PARIS (AP) — 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 triumphed in the Champions League final in May, 5-0 over Inter Milan, with Kvaratskhelia scoring the fourth goal and Mayulu grabbing the last.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press