PSG – Montpellier: the Dembélé-Hakimi duo, Luis Enrique’s other lethal weapon!

Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi. When analyzing the victory (3-0) of Paris Saint-Germain against Montpellier HSC as part of the 11th day of Ligue 1, how can we not mention these two men. One undoubtedly delivered the most convincing performance since his arrival in the French capital. The other continues, weekend after weekend, breathtaking performances. Friday evening, at the Parc des Princes, the former FC Barcelona winger has, of course, still not opened his goal counter with the capital club but his copy remains no less brilliant.

2 offerings for Hakimi, an assist for Dembélé!

Aligned on the right side of the 4-2-4 designed by Luis Enrique, the number 10 of the Rouge et Bleu was generally in all of PSG’s good offensive moves. Impactful, always as disconcerting in his ability to eliminate the opponent and decisive passer on the second goal signed Warren Zaire-Emery, the 1m78 ambidextrous stood out above all for his constant complicity with Achraf Hakimi. A connection as precious for Parisians as it is destructive for Hérault residents. In the right lane, the two Parisian stars multiplied the combinations, to the great dismay of Issiaga Sylla and Khalil Fayad, often overwhelmed by their vivacity.

At the origin of Kang-In Lee’s opening score – author of a real recital – by serving Achraf Hakimi perfectly in the depth (1-0, 10th), Ousmane Dembélé was also at the start of the action on the third goal signed Vitinha (3-0, 66th). In the meantime, the native of Vernon offered himself a third offering in Ligue 1 by perfectly replacing Warren Zaire-Emery, more than ever the darling of the Parc des Princes. For his part, the Moroccan international (64 caps, 8 goals), involved in the second Parisian goal, ended the evening with two new assists and an undeniable contribution. Credited with a 7.5 by the FM editorial team, the two Parisians then prove, a little more, their perfect understanding.

A worked complementarity, symbol of the Luis Enrique touch!

If the Frenchman leaves space for the Moroccan, the opposite is just as true and the technical connection remains more efficient than ever. With this in mind, the former Stade Rennais player often asks his partner for the ball at his feet while the piston passed by Inter Milan or Real Madrid comes to ask him in the space inside. A perfectly mastered circuit between the two Ile-de-France residents, also symbolizing the Luis Enrique touch. By asking the Parisian number 2 to come and provide, in the offensive phase, the surplus in the midfield, the Spanish technician is one of the great architects – if not the sole architect – of this emerging and terribly efficient relationship. As proof, Achraf Hakimi has been decisive in 5 of his last 7 L1 matches (3 goals, 4 assists) and Dembélé is clearly no stranger to this impressive performance.

Recently questioned about this complementarity, Julien Stéphan, former coach of Rennes and Strasbourg, did not fail to emphasize it in a long interview given for The Parisian. “I am convinced that Ousmane’s characteristics, the focus he generates in the opponent, and his discipline to stay very wide completely liberates Hakimi. If we talk about what he has been doing well for several matches, we cannot dissociate him from the good work he is doing. He releases it on the inside races”, assured the French technician in this sense. An analysis, a little more, verified at the end of this victory against the MHSC and already highlighted by Achraf Hakimi, himself, at the start of the season. “I get along very well with Ousmane Dembélé, we combine very well. We have great players. We are better from a collective point of view. We all defend and attack, that’s what characterizes this new Paris Saint-Germain. The coach makes sure that I can attack and that I can stay inside. He gives me a lot of confidence.”

Dembélé now wants to open his goal counter!

Accomplices on the pitch, like this shared joy when celebrating the second goal, Hakimi and Dembélé thus allow PSG to rely on a devastating right lane. A performance inevitably appreciated by Luis Enrique, rave during his time at the microphone of Prime Video. “I am very happy with this match. Everything was good. We had a very good result and we deserve this result. We all like goals (laughs). We dominated the entire match. Montpellier is one of the best away teams. It was very hard to win. It happened. I’ve seen a lot of things we’re working on. And I am very happy with the involvement of all the players. They seek to apply what we have worked on”declared the Spaniard without specifically mentioning the Hakimi-Dembélé association.

Asked in turn about the performance of his team, Ousmane Dembélé also implied the emerging automatisms within this collective. “We had a very good match. We wanted to take this match seriously to be leader before the others. We prepared well before the big match against Milan in the Champions League. We know each other better and better, we’ve been playing together for months. The coach gives us instructions that we try to apply during the match.. Relaunched on his inability to find the net, the Parisian winger assured, moreover, that this situation did not affect him mentally. “It doesn’t weigh on me. I’m very happy with my match but all I’m missing is this goal.”. Considering his duo formed with Achraf Hakimi, there is no doubt that this long-awaited moment should quickly come…