For two successive Champions League weeks Paris St-Germain have delivered performances and results that suggested they would probably win the competition for a third consecutive season.

A 4-2 victory away to Manchester City was followed by a 4-2 victory at home to Barcelona, putting to the sword two of the mega-clubs who could challenge PSG’s hopes of completing a hat-trick of European titles. It does not come much more impressive than that.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia played 84 minutes across the two ties, coming off the bench against City and having to be replaced before the hour against Barça, which suggests that PSG can cope without him.

Indeed they scored three of their goals against City and three against Barcelona without Kvaratskhelia on the pitch. So, there is firepower even if he offers so much more than that.

But can they really cope? We will find out as unfortunately arguably the most exciting player in world football – with a nod to Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise – was taken off because of serious injury. Kvaratskhelia has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, will have to undergo surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

His absence is a huge loss for anyone who loves football. The 25-year-old is a characterful throwback of a winger in an age when too many are risk-averse, lack courage and refuse to take on their man. Or are not allowed to by the overly structured systems their coaches enforce. Kvaratskhelia hugs the touchline and is dynamic. He is best when he is dribbling one-vs-one and driving with the ball. And how many players can we say that about now?

No opponent should want to thrive on adversity, but the question is: how much of a leveller is Kvaratskhelia’s absence to PSG’s chances in the Champions League? The club also sold Bradley Barcola to Liverpool for £123m, Ibrahim Mbaye to Aston Villa and allowed Lee Kang-in to join Atlético Madrid. So, they are wingers down, although none are of Kvaratskhelia’s calibre. Not even Barcola, despite that price.

That has been balanced by the arrival of the skilful Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, Mika Godts from Ajax and Ferran Torres, signed from Barcelona. But, again, none are in the same bracket as Kvaratskhelia. Akliouche is most likely to play.

In Kvaratskhelia’s absence the onus will fall more heavily on Désiré Doué. We saw with his performance in beating City what he is capable of, as well as in winning the first Champions League title, with that remarkable 5-0 destruction of Inter Milan in 2025. But he is still just 21.

PSG have the spending power, and financial headroom – they made a profit in the summer transfer window of €181m (£152m) – to go back into the market in January. Although the word is that, right now, they are happy with what they have within their squad.

There will also be concern about Ousmane Dembélé’s fresh injury and although his thigh issue will probably only keep him out for a few weeks, PSG are stretched by the demands upon them and the sheer number of games they have had to play in the last three years under Luis Enrique. So much for the nonsense of referring to Ligue 1 as a “Farmers’ League”.

PSG’s remaining group opponents – Villarreal, Roma, Aston Villa, Como and Galatasaray are not likely to hinder their progress to the knock-out stages, not least because the defending champions have already collected nine points from three games and sit atop the enlarged group.

But after that? Despite Barcelona’s formidable form, despite City’s strength and attacking power, despite Bayern Munich’s attacking prowess, Arsenal’s overall ability and Real Madrid being Real Madrid, PSG were the team to beat. With Kvaratskhelia. Without him others will sense an opportunity. And not least because of his big-game mentality which always came to the fore in the depths of the knock-outs, the business end of the Champions League.

Losing him for any period of time is a serious blow to football lovers. But a potential leveller when it comes to stopping PSG’s dominance in Europe.