In Udine, against Tottenham (2-2, Tab 4-3), PSG has long seemed outdated. For more than an hour, the Spurs imposed their rhythm and their intensity, taking advantage of an already sharp collective to mistreat Parisians still looking for automatisms. But a last quarter of an overturning hour upset the fate of the final: Paris torn off the equalization before winning during the penalty shootout, without going through overtime. A success torn from the mind, which offers the club its first European trophy of the season, even if everyone has not been able to take full advantage of it. In the background, this meeting was also marked by a little story in the big: the famous “Golden Ball race” mentioned by Achraf Hakimi a few days ago.
“The statistics I have made this year are not those of a normal defender. When a defender does that, I think he deserves more than an attacker ”. Nine Parisians appear in the list of thirty nominees, and the statements of the lateral had even been partially exposed during the broadcast of its interview on Canal+a sign that the club wanted to defuse the subject. Basically, it is not a hostile rivalry, but rather a friendly competition between two executives who know each other well, appreciate each other and stimulate each other. However, this evening, Hakimi was unable to get out of the game. While it took more than 70 minutes in Dembélé before finding sensations and being decisive, the Moroccan international, meanwhile, missed the opportunity to send a strong message in this symbolic duel, leaving this European step to spin without mark the minds despite a spectacular collective success.
A frame still out of pace
After its remarkable media outing on its ambition to win the Ballon d'Or, Achraf Hakimi one day was logically scrutinized carefully for this European Super Cup in Udine. The context was ideal for making an impression: a match at stake, faced with a prestigious opponent, and a PSG which ended up signing a spectacular comeback to impose itself on penalties. However, we were far from seeing the best face of the Moroccan side. If he was not the most faulty defensively, resistant rather well for London assaults on his corridor, he however shone by his discretion in the opposing half of land. The usual cutting edge of his offensive projections has evaporated, and his influence on the Parisian game remained minimal. The figures speak for themselves: 24 lost balloons, 4 failed centers out of 5, only 2 long successful passes out of 6 attempted, and a single shot, blocked by the defense of the Spurs.
Statistics that confirm the visual impression of a withdrawal hakimi, unable to bring the depth and the danger that usually make its strength. An unrecognizable hakimi also explained by the physical delay taken by PSG: “I think we don't deserve this trophy, because we could see the difference between a team like Tottenham, after six weeks of training, and we, after only six days. It makes a real difference. For 80 minutes, we tried to play our football, but there were a lot of bad passes, and we had the chance to score two goals and go to penalties. It's football, and for us it's a very good time, and I'm very happy for our supporters who are still there and who have not stopped singing and helping the team. When we lost, they were still with us». It was not until the last moments to see Achraf Hakimi really weigh, with this good lag for Dembélé on the purpose of equalization. Too little, too late to transform his performance into a strong message, especially in a match where he had the opportunity to hit a big blow in this famous internal race for the Ballon d'Or.
