PSG v Bayern: Is Achraf Hakimi the solution for the Parisians?
'Can they reach the final?' This is one of the questions that is on everyone's lips once again this year concerning PSG. As soon as February arrives, the Parisians have a habit of finding difficulties in Europe: injuries, suspensions, bad dynamics. This season is not so different from the others, and Christophe Galtier will have to be inventive against a team that is more than well trained.
On the offensive side, Kylian Mbappé is the tree that hides the forest in the major European meetings - the Bondy native scored against Juventus, in the first and second leg, and against Benfica at the Parc des Princes. Uncertain until late - the staff must decide if the striker is available or not - Paris will need a great Lionel Messi and Neymar, unlike their performance against Marseille.
The "battle of the middle", as Galtier mentioned in a press conference last week, will be the sinews of war. The players lined up in the heart of the game will have to respond, but it is perhaps in the wings where PSG could find the solution. And it is there that Achraf Hakimi has a chance to thrive.
A huge season so far
For his second season in the French capital, Hakimi plays much more liberated than last term. The acclimatisation took time, but now there is room to breathe. Taken in dislike by some players in the changing room last year, the Morocco star had difficulty finding his place, whether in the group or on the field. With the arrival of Luis Campos and Christophe Galtier in Paris, things have evolved favourably for him from the beginning of the 2022/23 season. Hakimi gained confidence and stature, and the World Cup was the highlight that allowed him to reach that milestone.
"The fact that we're in a four-man defense allows him to launch in, to start from further back," said Galtier. "He's a very offensive player even though he's getting better and better at defending. He has a special relationship with Messi for some games. He is coming out of a great World Cup, in which he was voted best African player. He is in full confidence, we are very happy to have him at this level."
And it is felt on the pitch. When he plays, his omnipresence on the right flank is essential for PSG. Positioned as a 'piston' at the beginning of the season, then as a full-back since the change of system, he is one of the players who has the most impact in Galtier's team. In 21 matches played in the league, the Moroccan delivered 26 key passes and managed to break away 20 times from his direct opponent. Statistics that prove the freedom acquired with the new coach of PSG.
"I am happy with the way I started the year," Hakimi said. "With the World Cup, I have gained a lot of confidence. I find myself more liberated, I try to change my mentality, not to think bad and to take positive things to help the team."
Four goals and three assists complete his numbers. However, the offensive aspect is not the only point where the Moroccan has evolved. Defensively, the player has also grown. Hakimi is less moved by the strikers, he anticipates much better and his positioning when PSG are in low block is outstanding. As soon as he recovers, his acceleration allows him to pass the first curtain of the opponent with ease. In short, the PSG right-back has also improved in an area that was one of his weaknesses.
Taking advantage of the weaknesses of opponents
But then how can Hakimi be decisive against the Bavarians? Bayern Munich are a steamroller and when they start attacking, they can make themselves unstoppable. Used to accelerate the game at the beginning of the match - something that the Parisians do not appreciate lately - the objective will be not to concede and wait for the first slackening of the opponent. So PSG will have to be strong at the back during the waves of German attack and, inevitably, the Parisian full-backs will have to respond. Whether it's a three-man defence or a four-man defence, the Moroccan will have to deal with big players in any case: Alphonso Davies, Joao Cancelo and Kingsley Coman are the players potentially available on the left side.
Once they get the ball, Bayern can be pushed around in transition and that's where Hakimi - like Nuno Mendes for that matter - will have a role to play. Having a tendency to have their defence positioned at the midline, if not further, PSG's transitions will have to be negotiated to perfection. The starting move will be important to break the opposing lines and the player's projection will have to be done in an intelligent way and in the right tempo, because beware of the free spaces left behind.
Paris has a chance to play. It's "50/50", as Galtier would say. In a low point of the season, the Parisians can find a new momentum in a particular competition under the eyes of their fans. "If we take the statistics, we can believe that Bayern is the favourite," said the coach. "But this is the Champions League. My players are used to this. I have a much more complete group for tomorrow." To the players, including Hakimi, to do this is necessary against Bayern.
