PSG-Strasbourg: The (mediocre) ratings of Achraf Hakimi by the sports press

– bySaid · 2 min read
PSG-Strasbourg: The (mediocre) ratings of Achraf Hakimi by the sports press

The victory of Paris Saint-Germain on the lawn of Racing Club de Strasbourg (2-1), Sunday evening at the Meinau, did not eclipse the criticism aimed at the performance of Achraf Hakimi. For his first start in Ligue 1 since November 1, the Moroccan full-back delivered a performance deemed insufficient by almost all of the specialized press, who agree on a complicated evening.

Foot Mercato, who gave him a score of 4/10, points to a lack of explosiveness still visible: "the Moroccan has not yet regained all his intensity". The media insists on his defensive difficulties, in particular on the Strasbourg equalizer, where he "forgets Chilwell", while recognizing a defensive saving gesture with "his super return on Enciso (47th)". Offensively, despite "a volley shot caught by Penders (43rd)", his contribution is considered too limited.

The tone is even harsher on 90min.com, who penalize him with a 3/10. The site evokes a player "not yet at his best physically", leaving "a lot of space to Chilwell" and seeming to "calculate his efforts". An impression already felt during the previous European match and confirmed by an expulsion at the end of the game.

Same score at So Foot, who summarizes the Parisian’s evening with his usual irony: 3/10, accompanied by this laconic formula - "Very good tactical choice to have left his right flank to Warren Zaïre-Emery" - reflecting the feeling of a player overwhelmed in his own register.

Maxifoot goes in the same direction by also giving him a 3/10. The media talks about "a complicated evening for the Moroccan", underlining a very discreet first half, little offensive impact and a lack of freshness after the break. His dangerous tackle on Panichelli, sanctioned with a red card in the 75th minute, "further tarnished his performance".

Finally, CulturePSG is just as critical with a score of 4/10, mentioning "a few shots without real danger", a player "struggling on the Racing goal" and a logical expulsion to conclude an already badly started match.

Suspended for the upcoming Clasico, Achraf Hakimi leaves Strasbourg with a performance unanimously deemed insufficient. While PSG managed to turn the game around despite his dismissal, the press mainly retains a performance below the usual standards of the Moroccan full-back, now expected to confirm his return to form.