Brest v PSG: Zaïre-Emery and key moves, breaking down Hakimi’s first goal | OneFootball

With the aim of providing our readers with richer content, we came up with the idea of launching a section featuring an analysis of key actions in a match, whether it’s for goals scored or conceded, beautiful plays, near-misses that almost proved costly, and more. The goal is to determine the share of collective or individual success or error in each action. Here is the latest edition. This time, it’s a sequence from the 0-3 victory against Brest (video highlights Brest/PSG) during the 9th matchday of Ligue 1 2025-2026. It’s Achraf Hakimi’s opening goal (26-year-old right back).

The situation when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drives through the center.

Legend: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: possible options – Everything in red: what was done after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

Kvaratskhelia comes in from the right to attack through the center, his teammates try to offer options going forward. Here, we mainly see a “double attack” on the right axis, with Warren Zaïre-Emery (19-year-old midfielder) driving towards goal and forcing the defense to close in, while Senny Mayulu (19-year-old midfielder/forward) acts as a pivot in front of the penalty spot.

Hakimi takes advantage by making a run into the box and could perhaps have been played in. The Brest player marking him isn’t as quick off the mark, and Hakimi arrives behind the defender who is focused on Zaïre-Emery. Nothing easy, but it was an interesting possibility to attack this defensive block.

However, it wasn’t convincing enough for Kvaratskhelia, unless he simply didn’t see Hakimi as he was more focused on Zaïre-Emery. The Georgian ultimately chose to hold the ball in the center and played it back to Lee Kang-In (24-year-old midfielder/forward).

The situation when Lee Kang-In receives the ball.

Legend: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: possible options – Everything in red: what was done after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

Lee doesn’t have many options upon receiving the ball and does particularly well with his backheel to Vitinha (25-year-old midfielder, just off the image to the left). At the moment of the pass, it’s interesting to see that Bradley Barcola (23-year-old forward) continues to stretch the defense, while Kvaratskhelia keeps moving, dragging defenders with him. Mayulu is still holding his position in the center.

Zaïre-Emery comes back after his forward run, which wasn’t used. This will have a crucial effect, as we’ll see better in the next image. Hakimi, who never stops, moves back into the space left in the defense to make another run towards goal. It’s worth noting that the Brest player next to him could be a bit more focused on his marking.

The situation when Vitinha assesses his options.

Legend: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: possible options – Everything in red: what was done after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

Vitinha has time to control the ball and assess all his options. Barcola could have been played in on the left, and the defender is giving him space to avoid a run towards goal. This is important, as it allows Hakimi to position himself in the gap without being offside. Mayulu is also still occupying the central defense.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, Zaïre-Emery’s run has created a huge space. The defender who has been focused on him since his run into the box follows him a bit, unsure whether to really step out or not. Quite quickly, he stops to drop back into the last line. It’s already too late, Hakimi has positioned himself and is calling for the ball, while the Brest player next to him is still very passive. Maybe he was counting on an offside? In any case, it’s a big mistake that PSG takes full advantage of.

In any case, we can see PSG’s trademark fluid movements and a Zaïre-Emery who is a bit more daring than last season, which allows for an attacking presence even without touching the ball at the end of the move.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.