Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain’s 26-year-old right-sided piston, spoke to CBS Sports Golazo after Tuesday’s 0-1 win over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League 2024-2025 semi-finals (second leg on May 7).
Hakimi “it gives us the power to run with them too, we feel stronger.”
Is seeing the supposedly “technical” players run so much, like Kvaratskhelia, Doué or Dembélé, contagious ?
Yes, as you say. The coach says there are 11 of us, attacking or defending. When we see the forwards, whoever they are, running so much as first defenders, it gives us the power to run with them too, so we feel stronger.
Hakimi “We do it to get the connections.”
Do your positions always change with the ball? Is this total soccer?
Yes, that’s what the coach wants, a lot of mobility. We work a lot in training so that we can occupy spaces, cover or help players. That’s what we do. I always try to be in the right space. We do it to make connections.
It’s a new PSG with today’s team, and Vitinha is very important. What’s it like playing with him ?
He’s incredible. As are the other players, including the substitutes. They’re at a very high level. The midfielders control the ball, and that’s important for us.
