Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain’s 26-year-old right-sided piston, spoke to Canal+ after the 0-1 victory over Arsenal on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League 2024-2025 semi-finals (return on May 7). He spoke of this important, but not yet decisive, victory.
Vitinha “you have to adapt.”
Is it as strong as winning at Liverpool?
Yes, it’s a nice step, it’s very difficult to win here. We already played here in October. We played a great game, even though we didn’t have the ball as usual. That just goes to show that we’re a great team when we have to defend, we defend.
When you have to have the ball, you have the ball, and you have to adapt to the different things the match demands. We could have scored more today, but we’re happy with the result. It’s not over yet, but it’s all down to the team’s hard work.
Vitinha “We showed the desire we have to get to the final.”
Were there any doubts?
No, we were sure. As I said at the pre-match press conference, there are people who don’t believe in it, but we don’t give a damn about them. We’re concentrating on the people who support us. Our supporters are incredible here in the park. They’re the ones we’re fighting for. It’s not over yet, we have to play a great match at the Parc des Princes.
Is this individual revenge for you or for Dembélé, who hasn’t been scoring?
No, no, it’s mainly the team. We put in a great result and a great collective performance, because when you have to defend, when you have to attack, that’s what a great team is all about. We showed the desire we have to get to the final.