PSG’s Achraf Hakimi Shines in Crucial 3-0 Champions League Win Over Salzburg

– bySaid@Bladi · 3 min read
PSG's Achraf Hakimi Shines in Crucial 3-0 Champions League Win Over Salzburg

Paris Saint-Germain, under pressure after a mixed European campaign, secured a vital victory (3-0) over Salzburg in the 6th round of the Champions League. A reassuring collective performance, certainly, but above all marked by the dazzling performance of Achraf Hakimi, a true offensive engine and a major architect of this success. The sports press, unanimous, praised the Moroccan full-back, describing his performance as a "masterclass" or an "offensive recital".

From the kick-off, Hakimi imposed his style: incessant runs, incisive calls, and remarkable offensive involvement. With 137 touches of the ball, a rare figure for a full-back, he embodied the main offensive weapon of the Parisians. Eurosport underlines his predominant role in the Parisian attacks, noting that "the Moroccan was the main offensive weapon of PSG" and giving him an 8.5, among the best ratings of the evening.

Footmercato, who also named him "man of the match" with an 8.5, hailed "a real poison for the opposing defense". With two assists - a header for Ramos in the 30th minute and a perfectly weighted pass back for Doué at the end of the match - Hakimi directly contributed to his team’s success. His statistics illustrate his influence: accurate crosses, fluid combinations, and solid defensive involvement despite his repeated runs forward.

While most media have focused on his offensive impact, some have also highlighted an overall balanced performance. Maxifoot (8/10) notes that Hakimi, "freed from his defensive duties thanks to Parisian dominance", excelled in his runs while remaining vigilant at the back. Culture PSG, with a sober 8, praised his ability to meet the team’s offensive needs, recalling that "the Moroccan offered two goals to his teammates".

However, a few media, such as 90min.com (8/10), did not fail to point out the rare spaces left in his back due to his repeated runs, although these gaps were not really exploited by the opponent. A small flaw in an almost flawless performance, but the Atlas Lion cannot be everywhere at once.

Beyond the figures, the superlatives did not fail to describe Hakimi’s contribution. Canal Supporters evokes a "stratospheric" performance, highlighting the continuity of his excellent start to the season. Le Parisien, more measured with a score of 7, nevertheless recognized the importance of his contribution in a team sometimes lacking in creativity.

This unanimity in the praise recalls the growing importance of Achraf Hakimi in the Parisian squad. Whether it is breaking down compact defenses or delivering decisive passes, the Moroccan full-back demonstrates match after match that he is much more than a simple defender. The Moroccan national team can therefore be pleased to have a confident player a few months before the Africa Cup of Nations.

Achraf Hakimi therefore responded brilliantly. His performance against Salzburg confirmed his status as a key player in Luis Enrique’s system. If the Parisian collective still has adjustments to make to regain consistent solidity, one certainty emerges: with a Hakimi at this level, PSG can nurture real ambitions on the European stage.