Hakimi: “It’s Time to Give Our All

Achraf Hakimi, PSG full-back, faced the press conference ahead of Tuesday’s match at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium with a singular message following his team’s defeat at the Parc des Princes (2-3): “The team is ready. We want to win, and we are eager to do so.” The PSG defender, who missed the first leg due to suspension, confessed that what his team needs to do to advance to the semifinals is “win.” He added that “we want to win, and we are eager to do so. We are ready” because “we have worked well” and “we have motivated ourselves to continue in this competition.” The former Dortmund and Real Madrid player lamented the defeat in the first leg: “We couldn’t win, but tomorrow is the time to give our all on the field.” Regarding his team’s star player, Kylian Mbappé, he said, “I see him very motivated, like the rest of the players,” and he pointed out that he sees it “possible” to change “the current result” of the tie. To keep PSG in Europe, Hakimi pointed out that “we must create many chances” and “stick to our clear idea: we want goals for tomorrow.” Dominating the Game He praised his coach, Luis Enrique Martínez, stating that “he always wants to dominate the game, create spaces, triangles all over the field… He is not in a hurry to attack. His ideas are very clear and reflected in every game.” For Hakimi, there is no doubt: “We are convinced that we will bring the victory to Paris so that our fans are happy.” Regarding how to minimize Barcelona, he said, “We have to try to make them uncomfortable throughout the game.” He may have to mark Raphinha, but he didn’t focus solely on the Brazilian: “They have a great team, and we will have to control them all, not just one.” About the reception from the Barcelona fans to PSG, especially to Mbappé -due to his relationship with Real Madrid- and to Dembélé -due to his past with Barcelona and celebrating the goal he scored in the first leg- Hakimi emphasized that “it will be eleven against eleven. We must show that we are in good shape and take the game to our field. The fans cannot change the game.”