Thursday 15 October 2026

Achraf Hakimi vs Manchester City: How the Press Rated the PSG Defender

Achraf Hakimi delivered a standout performance against Manchester City in Paris Saint-Germain’s 4–2 win. The Moroccan right-back was heavily involved going forward, while also contributing to PSG’s defensive work.

Sports media outlets gave him ratings between 6 and 7 out of 10. Despite a clear chance to score and several promising attacking initiatives, his impact evolved as the match went on.

Hakimi inches close to scoring against Manchester City

From the first half, Achraf Hakimi made his presence felt with his overlapping runs down the right flank.

In the 31st minute, the Moroccan came very close to opening his account. Meeting a cross from Désiré Doué, he directed a powerful header towards goal, only to see his effort come back off the post.

That chance summed up his constant involvement in PSG’s attacking play. Hakimi repeatedly made forward runs and offered depth in behind, helping to keep the English defense under sustained pressure.

An intense duel with Jérémy Doku

On his side of the pitch, Hakimi also had to cope with the pace and dribbling of Jérémy Doku.

For a good spell, the PSG defender managed to limit the spaces available to the Belgian winger. However, the task became more complicated after the break.

Manchester City then tried to seize control of the game. Hakimi had to focus more on his defensive duties, tracking runs and covering his zone. The tempo and pressure imposed by the English champions made his job increasingly demanding.

Press ratings between 6 and 7 out of 10

Sports newspapers and websites rated the Moroccan’s display between 6 and 7 out of 10.

These scores reflect a generally solid performance. His offensive activity and defensive commitment stood out, even if the assessments differed depending on the criteria used by each outlet.

The missed chance in front of goal and the difficulties he faced after half-time also help explain the variations in how his display was judged.

Hakimi remains a key piece in PSG’s system

Beyond his effort that struck the post, Achraf Hakimi constantly provided width to PSG’s attacking play.

His forward runs offered additional passing options to Paris Saint-Germain’s forwards. His ability to repeat high-intensity efforts also contributed to the overall balance of the team.

His performance against Manchester City once again underlined how important he is in PSG’s tactical setup. Even without scoring, the Moroccan full-back was involved in all phases of play.

 

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