The best right back in the world. This Friday evening, Achraf Hakimi once again showed that he had not stolen this status, during PSG’s brilliant victory in Le Havre in Ligue 1 (1-5). Holder on the right lane, the captain of the evening was one of the rare executives lined up from the start by Luis Enrique against the Normans who have been in poor shape since the start of the season. However, it was the latter who opened the scoring, thanks to Josh Maja (18th). Before PSG wakes up and Achraf Hakimi takes on the role of savior.
Found on the right side by Hernandez, the Moroccan international (92 caps) found Mika Godts for the equalizer (26th). Only two minutes later, the former Real Madrid player was thrown to the edge of offside by Mayulu, before deceiving Arnaud Bodart with a powerful strike near the post to give the Parisians the advantage (28th). His activity throughout the two periods simply turned the heads of the Hacmens. Sometimes on the right side, sometimes at the forefront of the attack: Hakimi was everywhere and did everything. Returning from the locker room, the former Dortmund defender had not finished with Le Havre.
Involved in all five PSG goals
After a foul by Richardson on Akliouche at the edge of the area, Hakimi grabbed the ball and curled it perfectly for Bodart, on the goalkeeper side (55th). As if that wasn’t enough, it was he who launched Mayulu for the 1-4 goal (62nd), before ending his magnificent performance at the OcĂ©ane stadium with a hat-trick, taking in two steps a cross from the outside of Godts’ foot (69th). Five goals for PSG (a first season in the league), three goals and two assists for Achraf Hakimi, the only defender to be involved in 5 goals during a match in the 5 major championships over the last 10 seasons. An XXL performance, praised with a 10/10 by the FM editorial staff and by his coach post-match. “ We know its quality perfectly. He’s an attacker. He is higher than the attackers sometimes. He is the best right back in the world. I’m not excited about his three goals. What I like is to see him all the time at a very high level “, he said at a press conference.
Interviewed on the set of League 1+the 27-year-old explained how much he thrives in this “free” role granted to him by his coach. “ It’s incredible for a full-back! My training? It’s that of a full-back. Afterwards the coach helped me a lot, by giving me freedom, to take up space, to cover me when I am in attack. I’m happy and comfortable, on the pitch, I feel very good. I feel comfortable playing with these teammates, it’s easy. On the pitch, I am well in front of the goal. I try to have fun “, he explained. And it shows.
