‘The second leg will be different’: Achraf Hakimi confident of improvement after Dortmund defeat

Achraf Hakimi (25) struck a defiant tone in the immediate aftermath of Paris Saint Germain’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the UEFA Champions semi-final in Germany, insisting that the Parisians will do all they can to turn the tie in the second leg. 

PSG were largely disappointing in Dortmund, as Nicholas Fullkrug’s first half finish ensured that the Germans would have something to protect going into the second leg at the Parc des Princes next Tuesday. After a laboured first half showing in the atmospheric Signal Iduna Park, there was a marked improvement in Luis Enrique’s side in the second half, with both teams missing good chances to add further goals in what was an entertaining semi-final.

“We are very sad about the result, we missed chances in the second half. We knew what they were going to do, long balls into space. We were focused, the coach had been repeating the same message all week. We dominated the whole match, now we will rest and focus on the second leg. At home, things will be different with our supporters in our stadium, I’m sure. We will be full of confidence and I’m sure things will happen for us.”

PSG have previous in overturning a first leg loss in Dortmund, going down 2-1 in Germany before winning 2-0 back in France in the round of 16 of the 2019/2020 edition, eventually reaching the final and losing to Bayern Munich. 

GFFN | Jack McArdle