Luis Enrique coy on Hakimi fitness ahead of PSG's Champions League semi-final
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has refused to disclose the fitness status of defender Achraf Hakimi ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich. The Spanish coach was tight-lipped in his post-match press conference following PSG's 3-0 Ligue 1 victory over Angers on Wednesday, a match in which Hakimi was one of three players substituted at half-time. According to reports from the French media, Hakimi was withdrawn due to a physical discomfort, raising concerns about his availability for the crucial European tie.
Luis Enrique explicitly stated he would not be providing any medical updates, framing it as a tactical decision ahead of the Bayern clash. "The semi-final against Bayern has started: I don't give information," he said, as quoted by L'Équipe. He expressed pride in a "serene" evening in Angers, noting the potential for problems in a match sandwiched between a derby and a European semi-final, but claimed none materialized. This marks the third consecutive season PSG have reached the Champions League semi-finals under their current manager.
The potential absence of Achraf Hakimi would represent a significant blow for the French champions. The Moroccan international is a pivotal figure on the right flank, offering both defensive solidity and a major attacking threat with his pace and delivery. His potential replacement would likely be Nordi Mukiele, who offers a more defensive profile. Hakimi's form has been a constant since his arrival from Inter Milan in 2021, and his marauding runs are a key component of Luis Enrique's system.
For Bayern Munich, any weakness in the PSG lineup, particularly in the wing-back areas they aim to exploit, could be advantageous. The German giants are preparing for their own semi-final under outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel, who formerly managed PSG. The context of this tie is heightened by PSG's ongoing quest for a first Champions League title, a mission Luis Enrique referenced by citing "the city of Paris which finally wanted to win the Champions League."
The manager attributed the club's sustained European success to a combination of "incredible players, a very high-level team, a very competitive club, supporters always behind us." He acknowledged the quality of the opposition, calling Bayern "the best team in Europe," but stressed PSG's status as reigning French champions. With the first leg at the Allianz Arena, PSG's team news, now shrouded in uncertainty by Luis Enrique's poker-faced approach, will be scrutinized until the official lineups are released an hour before kickoff.
