PARIS (AP) — João Neves and Ousmane Dembélé returned from injury to start for Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
They took only 10 minutes to make their mark in the first leg at Parc des Princes.
Dembélé’s cross from the right was headed down by Neves for Bradley Barcola to score from inside the penalty area. Dembélé hit the crossbar moments later with a rasping shot.
Neves had been nursing an ankle injury since PSG advanced past Monaco in the Champions League playoffs last month.
Dembélé has shaken off a calf injury.
The Ballon d’Or winner came on as a second-half substitute in Friday’s 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in Ligue 1.
Their return allowed PSG coach Luis Enrique to name a near-full strength side, although midfielder Fabián Ruiz remains sidelined with a left knee injury.
The second leg is next Tuesday at Stamford Bridge in London.
PSG last played Chelsea in July in the final of the Club World Cup, when Chelsea won 3-0.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
