Barcelona v PSG: Hakimi warns Yamal and reveals the keys to the match | OneFootball

Wednesday, on the 2nd matchday of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) will face FC Barcelona (12th) at Montjuïc Stadium (kick-off at 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Parisian right-back Achraf Hakimi (26 years old) answered several questions in a press conference.

Hakimi: “I will keep working, I hope to still be in the top 30”

A word about the Ballon d’Or ranking? Any disappointment?

No, not for me. It’s a pleasure to be among the 30 best players in the world. After that, those who voted for me or not, I don’t think about that when I play. I don’t think about individual trophies, but about collective trophies, about enjoying myself. After that, you make your choices. But I’m happy and proud. I will keep working, I hope to still be in the top 30 and why not climb even higher.

How do you feel physically? You’ve played a lot and even played a bit injured?

I feel very good, physically and mentally. I prepare well for this type of match and for the whole season.

Hakimi: “He has everyone’s confidence.”

How is Chevalier after his mistake in Marseille?

He feels good, with confidence. He has everyone’s confidence. He made saves and will make more tomorrow.

What can you bring to the match tomorrow as a full-back? Is it played in midfield?

The midfield is important, that’s true. But personally, I’ll try to give everything I usually give. My speed, my confidence, my experience, my way of helping. The team performance together is the most important thing.

Hakimi: “We have a strong squad, there are many players ready.”

Several important absentees, what does that change for PSG?

It doesn’t change much, even if they are important players. We have a strong squad, there are many players ready. The coach will choose the best options. We are ready to win, to perform.

Barça wants revenge after the quarter-final two years ago, do you understand that for this match?

I have a very good memory here, last time we won. I hope that tomorrow, we can win as well. Even if it’s a tough match, against a team with great players, with the same style as us. But we’re good, we’re in a good dynamic. It will be a great match to play and to watch.

Hakimi: “If I have to play this much, I’d sign up every day.”

You’re the only one without injury for a year and a half, are you worried?

I don’t think about injury. When I step onto the field, I want to perform and give everything. After that, I try to recover well, to work well. I have a staff outside to be physically and mentally fit to play as much as possible and perform well. I feel good and I hope to continue like this, for the club and the national team.

FIFPro says the season has been too packed, do you agree?

I don’t know. I know that PSG played a lot because we went to the end of all competitions. If I have to play this much, I’d sign up every day. That means we’re going to the final.

Do you feel that the institutions listen to the players?

I don’t know. I think we’re here to play, to give pleasure to football lovers. It’s true that being physically fit allows you to perform better, to put on a better show. We had a lot of matches because we went to the end of all competitions. I’m ready to do it again.

Hakimi: “It will be important to have it and not rush.”

PSG and Barça are similar, but what are the differences?

I don’t think there’s a big difference. They are two teams that want the ball, that have the personality for it and don’t like to chase after the ball. Tomorrow, I think the team with the ball will be able to create the most chances. It will be important to have it and not rush.

PSG comes to play high, will you have to show it from the start?

We’ve never changed our style of play, and it won’t be the case for this match. We have our idea, to keep the ball and press. That’s what the coach has brought. We’ll continue like that as long as he’s here.

Hakimi: “I think he’ll have to play against the best left-back in the world.”

A special plan to stop Yamal?

I think he’ll have to play against the best left-back in the world, Nuno Mendes. He can stop him, he’s already done it. Like against other attackers. He’s very well prepared. Our strength is also the way we help each other. We’ll make sure he’s not one-on-one, we know his ability to dribble.

This Barça reminds you of which Barça you’ve faced?

Xavi’s Barça from two years ago was similar. There’s continuity.

There are two great teams, what scenario do you expect and what are the keys?

We have the same style, we want to control the match, the ball. That’s where the key will be. We mustn’t rush. The most precise team will be the one that wins. The details will make the difference. I hope we can win.

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