Ahead of the highly anticipated match against Barcelona, Achraf Hakimi expressed his team’s strong desire to turn the situation around and claim victory. The young Moroccan defender was disappointed to have missed the first leg, but is now eager to contribute to his team’s efforts. “I was really disappointed that I couldn’t be there for the first match. As a player, you always want to be on the pitch, help your teammates and do everything you can to win,” said a thoughtful Hakimi. “But I understood the situation and I knew that the team would give their best, even without me.”
And that’s exactly what happened, according to the full-back. “We played a very good game, in which we showed our quality and our fighting spirit. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the result we wanted.” Hakimi shook his head, the disappointment still evident in his voice. “But that’s football, isn’t it? Sometimes, effort and performance don’t translate to the scoreboard.” Heading into the second leg, Hakimi and his Paris Saint-Germain teammates are more determined than ever to set the record straight. “Tomorrow, we’ll have to leave everything behind on this pitch. We came here with a burning desire to win, to change the outcome of the first game.”
The young defender’s eyes shone with intensity as he spoke. “We know Barcelona are a fantastic team, with world-class players. But so do we. This is our chance to prove it, to show that we can beat them on their own turf.” Hakimi was quick to praise the attitude and motivation of his teammate, Kylian Mbappe. “I can see it in Kylian’s eyes, his hunger, his determination. He’s as eager as all of us to turn this situation around.” The Morocco international laughed. “To be honest, I’d hate to be the one marking him tomorrow. He’s going to be a nightmare for their defense.” Beyond Mbappe’s individual brilliance, Hakimi highlighted the collective spirit within the PSG squad.
“We’re not just a team of superstars, we’re a family. We fight for each other, we push each other to be better. And right now, we’re united in this mission to bring victory back to Paris.” The young full-back paused, an unwavering determination etched on his face. “This is our chance to show the world what we’re made of. Barcelona better be ready, because we’re coming for them.” At that, Hakimi’s tone changed, a flicker of a smile playing on his lips. “But you know, it’s not just about proving something. It’s about the thrill of the challenge, the adrenaline of going out on that pitch. That’s what we live for as footballers.” He laughed. “So trust me, we’re going to enjoy every minute of it.”
The echoes of the first leg between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are still resonating in the football world. In a gripping encounter at the Camp Nou, the Catalan giants emerged victorious, beating the Parisians 3-2. A result that left a bitter taste in the mouths of PSG players and fans. They had travelled to Barcelona with high hopes, determined to secure a positive result and lay the foundations for a successful return leg. But despite their best efforts, they fell just short, leaving the Catalan capital with a narrow defeat. “It was a tough game to take, there’s no doubt about it,” admitted Achraf Hakimi, the young Moroccan defender who had to withdraw from the first leg due to injury. “As players, we put a lot of ourselves into these big games, and when you come away with a defeat, it’s always going to hurt.”
Hakimi's eyes shone with a mixture of regret and determination as he reflected on that first encounter. "We played well, we gave it our all, but in the end they managed to get ahead of us. That's the cruel reality of football sometimes: the scoreline doesn't always tell the whole story of the performance." Yet despite the disappointment, the Parisians refused to dwell on the result. Instead, they focused on the crucial second leg, a chance to set the record straight and secure their passage to the next round of the Champions League.
“The first game is done and dusted now,” Hakimi said emphatically. “All that matters is what happens tomorrow. And let me tell you, we are more determined than ever to go out there and get the win.” There was a palpable sense of urgency and conviction in the young defender’s words. “We know Barcelona are an exceptional team, with world-class players in every position. But so do we. This is our chance to prove it, to show that we can beat them on their own turf.” Hakimi’s gaze hardened as he spoke, the fire in his eyes evident for all to see. “We have the quality, the talent and the desire to turn this situation around. It’s time to make a statement, to show the world that we are a force to be reckoned with.”
The Moroccan international was quick to praise the collective spirit within the PSG squad, a bond he believes will be crucial in their quest for victory. “We are not just a group of individuals, we are a family. We fight for each other, we push each other to be better and we are all united in this mission to bring the trophy back to Paris.” There was a palpable sense of camaraderie in Hakimi’s words, a reflection of the tight-knit nature of this PSG team. “When we step on that pitch, we know we have each other’s backs. We are going to leave everything behind, because we know that’s what it’s going to take to get the job done.”
