A machine. Last season, Achraf Hakimi played a series of matches in the Paris Saint-Germain jersey. In total, he participated in 55 matches in all competitions (4,667 minutes of play), including 53 as a starter. Time for him to score 11 goals and deliver 16 assists. Beyond the statistics, the Moroccan was an essential piece in Luis Enrique’s squad. He displayed an exceptional level throughout the season, showing impressive consistency and excellent health since he was not injured. Which also pushed the French club not to recruit a replacement for his position since the former Real Madrid player continued without problem.
Marathon runner Hakimi has a series of injuries
But this season, like many of his teammates, he is suffering the repercussions of the previous year which was rich in success but also very long and therefore very exhausting at all levels. Last November, he injured his left ankle following a violent tackle from behind by Luis Diaz during the Champions League championship stage. Result: victim of a major sprain, Hakimi missed 53 days of competition and 17 matches. But he was finally able to participate in the African Cup of Nations with his country. On Wednesday evening, the native of Madrid was injured again against the Bavarians. This time, Luis Diaz has nothing to do with it. The Parisian right-back, author of 31 matches this season for club (3 goals and 9 assists), was hit in the thigh after a duel with Konrad Laimer.
He remained on the field, but appeared injured. After examinations, PSG communicated on his state of health last night. “Victim of a right thigh injury during the match against Bayern Munich, Achraf Hakimi will remain in treatment for the coming weeks.” A hard blow for the Ile-de-France residents, who will however be able to count on him in the event of qualification for the C1 final on May 30. To do this, the residents of the Parc des Princes will have to finish the job next Wednesday in Munich after a first leg won 5 to 4. It will be necessary to do it without Hakimi. On the other side of the Rhine, his absence inevitably caused a reaction, as the Moroccan is a leader and a precious element for Luis Enrique and Paris.
Germany speaks of a hard blow for Paris
Sky Germany wrote about this: “bad news for Paris Saint-Germain: the French team will have to do without Achraf Hakimi during the return match of the semi-final against FC Bayern next Wednesday (9 p.m.). The full-back, an essential element in the stability of the team, held the back of his thigh after a duel with Konrad Laimer in the final minutes of the thrilling first leg (5-4). The diagnosis is now final”. For his part, Sports 1 launched: “PSG announces devastating news. Achraf Hakimi was injured during the Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich. PSG announced the devastating diagnosis the next day. The German media adds that it is a “bad news for Paris”Who “destroys the hopes of PSG” who hoped to count on him.
Kicker is on the same tone. “Paris Saint-Germain were given a bitter pill to swallow after their spectacular 5-4 home win over Bayern Munich. Achraf Hakimi will miss the return match in Munich due to an injury (…) This news, falling in the heart of the celebrations, is a real blow for PSG, because the two players (Hakimi and Chevalier, editor’s note) will certainly miss the return match in Munich. A particularly important blow for Hakimi, a key player of the team. Without the former Dortmund player, PSG will lack speed at right-back. Facing the speedy Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich, he would have been put to the test in the return match.
An absence that does business for Bayern Munich
Bild is finally a little more disappointed by his absence. “It is now a sad certainty! Hakimi will be absent.” Journalist for Football TransfersDavid Hamza is worried about Paris. “It’s definitely bad news for PSG, in my opinion. He is a key player, important not only in defense, but also and especially in attack. Against Bayern he would have been a valuable weapon. Bayern exerts very high pressure, creating numerous counter-attack opportunities. His speed and runs on the wing would have made him the ideal player to undermine the Bavarian defense. Defensively, PSG must now be extra vigilant against Luis Diaz, who plays on the left wing of Bayern.
But Luis Enrique and his staff have solutions. The most natural would be to reposition Warren Zaire-Emery at right-back. The French midfielder gave satisfaction when he had to replace the Moroccan during his injury. In Germany, we expect to see him in the duel with Luis Diaz. Sky Germany is banking on him to replace Hakimi. Kicker puts forward two solutions. “The most likely options are therefore Illya Zabarnyi, recruited from Bournemouth last summer, and the versatile Warren Zaire-Emery.” In any case, PSG’s misfortunes are the business of Bayern Munich and Germany, who are not necessarily unhappy not to meet Achraf Hakimi in Munich. But they should be wary, as WZE has notably proven itself to be a rather reliable alternative.
