Achraf Hakimi’s PSG dip, injury lay-off, AFCON toll and an untimely red card | OneFootball

Achraf Hakimi was sent off as PSG won 2-1 at Strasbourg on Sunday, so he will miss next weekend’s Classique against OM. The right-back has struggled to rediscover his level since a left ankle injury in early November.

According to L'Équipe, the suspension arrives just as he needs matches to rebuild rhythm after a severe sprain against Bayern Munich, 1-2, on four November that sidelined him until 29 December. His game relies on repeated high-intensity runs, so building volume is essential.

Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, the expected upswing has not materialised. He came back with muscular fatigue and the weight of a 0-1 extra-time final defeat to Senegal on 18 January, while subdued outings against Newcastle, 1-1, and Strasbourg have reinforced that sense.

He eased back at the AFCON with 26 minutes against Zambia, 3-0, then played every minute of the next four ties, including extra time in the semi-final with Nigeria, 0-0 and 4-2 on penalties, before the final. Questions remain over whether that workload has caught up with him or if more recovery time was needed, and a surgical option was not pursued.

Within PSG there is calm and confidence he can return to the forefront soon. Possibly in March, and maybe even for the Champions League play-off with AS Monaco on 17 and 25 February if freshness returns. After 55 days out, the next games, following OM’s visit to the Parc, will show if his trajectory is upward.

Source: L'Équipe