Achraf Hakimi: The key for PSG in their Champions League knock-out clash with Bayern
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 encountering difficulties in Europe: injuries, suspensions, bad dynamics. This season is no different from the others and coach Christophe Galtier will have to be inventive against a team that is more than well-trained.
On the offensive side, Kylian Mbappe (24) is the tree that hides the forest in 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 critical. The players lined up in the heart of the game will have to respond but it is perhaps on the wings where PSG could find the solution they need. And it is there that Achraf Hakimi has the chance to thrive.
A huge season so far
In his second season in the French capital, Hakimi has played much more liberated than last term. The acclimatisation took time but now there is room for him to breathe.
Disliked 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, however, things have evolved favourably for him since the beginning of the 2022/23 season. Hakimi has 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 defence 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 the 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 wingback 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 has delivered 26 key passes and managed to break away 20 times from his direct opponent - statistics that prove the freedom acquired under the new coach of PSG.
"I am happy with the way I started the year," Hakimi said.
"With the World Cup, I 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 for the season to date. However, the offensive aspect is not the only point where the Moroccan has evolved. Defensively, he has also grown.
Hakimi is anticipating attacks much better and his positioning when PSG are in a low block is outstanding. As soon as he recovers, his acceleration allows him to pass his 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
How can Hakimi be decisive against the Bavarians? Well, Bayern Munich are a steamroller and when they start attacking, they can make themselves unstoppable.
They are used to impacting the game at the beginning of the match. This is something that the Parisians haven't dealt with well lately. Thus, their objective will be to not concede and wait for the first slackening of their opponent.
PSG will have to be strong at the back during the waves of German attacks and, inevitably, the 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 for Bayern.
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 initial move will be important in breaking the opposing lines and the players' projection will have to be done in an intelligent way and in the right tempo so as not to expose too much space in behind.
Paris has a chance to compete in this match. It's '50/50', as Galtier would say. What's more, at this low point of their season, the Parisians have a chance to find a new sense of momentum in a competition that is valued in the eyes of their fans and owners.
"If we take the statistics, we would believe that Bayern is the favourite," said Galtier.
"But this is the Champions League. My players are used to this. I have a much more complete group for tomorrow."
One thing is for sure, the PSG players, including Hakimi, will need to be in top form to get the result they so desperately need.