Speaking to Canal+ this Sunday, October 11, ahead of the Manchester City vs. PSG match, Erling Haaland (26) praised Paris Saint-Germain, specifically highlighting Achraf Hakimi (27) and Nuno Mendes (24). A striker fascinated by two defenders—a detail worth noting. It speaks to a team whose attack is best understood by looking at those who start from the back.
PSG’s attack also begins at the back
When discussing the Parisian attack, the natural instinct is to talk about the wingers, the center-forward, or who deserves a starting spot. These players bear a specific responsibility for both creation and finishing. However, Hakimi and Mendes alter the conditions in which those attackers operate. A full-back capable of overlapping forces the opponent to track that run. This allows the winger to cut inside, combine with teammates, or benefit from a more favorable one-on-one situation. On the team sheet, defenders are listed behind the forwards—a convenient way to present a lineup, perhaps, but less helpful for understanding the actual dynamics of play.
During the 3–1 victory over Le Mans on Saturday, Hakimi provided a concrete example of this. It was his foray into the penalty area—culminating in an attempted sombrero flick and an opponent’s handball—that led to the opening penalty. In the 53rd minute, he found himself charging at the goalkeeper again, though his shot was saved. The Moroccan was operating in the zone where one would usually expect to find a striker; his position neither prevents him from creating a chance nor from finishing one. Meanwhile, the opposition has to deal with this extra player, disrupting their defensive organization and spatial awareness.
The assist doesn’t tell the whole story
Sometimes, the most interesting moments occur during a play where the full-back doesn’t even touch the ball. UEFA’s analysis following the PSG vs. Arsenal match on May 7, 2025, highlighted a run by Hakimi that opened up space for a teammate to cut inside, leading to a combination play that created a scoring chance. This is a contribution that doesn’t show up in the goal or assist tallies. The run itself enables the subsequent action. To evaluate a winger, one must therefore also look at the options available around him; a one-on-one duel becomes much easier when the defender already has someone else to keep an eye on.
Two full-backs, multiple ways to cause damage
Hakimi and Mendes also pose a threat when Paris regains possession. Their speed allows them to attack open space before the opposition can reorganize. We saw this at Villa Park on April 15, 2025: both of PSG’s goals were scored by the full-backs. It is the kind of detail that complicates a pre-match talk focused solely on the front three. They can initiate the play, support the build-up, and arrive late to finish the move. Confining them to the flanks would deprive PSG of some of its attacking options.
Freedom is a collective effort
This is also what makes Haaland’s perspective interesting. He acknowledges the whole team but then focuses on these two players and their movement. The threat from Paris comes from multiple areas, with roles shifting as the play unfolds. Luis Enrique (56) has two exceptional players at his disposal to foster this mobility. Of course, this doesn’t absolve the forwards of the need to execute successful dribbles or shots; it simply serves as a reminder that their freedom relies on the work of others. When a player finds space, someone else has often helped create it.
The return is part of the forward run
One non-negotiable condition remains: a forward surge requires a team that holds firm at the back. The spaces left behind can be exploited; a mishandled turnover can prove costly, and sheer speed isn’t a cure-all. Midfielders must provide support, defenders need to adjust their positioning, and forwards must contribute to winning back possession. Hakimi and Mendes also need to pick their moments wisely and hold their own in defensive duels; viewing them merely as tireless runners overlooks these essential requirements. While their quality allows them to take the initiative, the team’s collective setup must facilitate these moves without leaving Paris exposed every time possession is lost.
Look at the teammates before judging the forward
Haaland’s praise ultimately encourages us to take a broader view. Before concluding that a forward is isolated, receiving the ball too late, or unable to make a difference, observing the action around him can alter one’s assessment. Hakimi and Mendes are key parts of this picture. PSG boasts two full-backs capable of elevating the performance of their forwards—and occasionally doing the job themselves. Meanwhile, opposing defenders rarely have the luxury of sticking to the “classic” defensive assignments associated with these players’ positions.
