Hakimi sets sights on Champions League glory after PSG overcome Barcelona

Achraf Hakimi says Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated their European credentials by beating Barcelona 4-2 in Tuesday’s Champions League league-phase meeting.

The victory strengthened Paris Saint-Germain’s position after they defeated Premier League leaders Manchester City 4-2 last week. Barcelona had also gone into the match unbeaten this season, making the result another significant test passed by the French club.

Speaking to CBS Sports after the game, Hakimi said: “When you play against a team like this, you want to show them that we are the champions and that we want to keep winning. We want to show them that we are also one of the best teams in the world, and perhaps the best at the moment.”

The Morocco international acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing his side before praising their response during a match that changed direction several times.

“We knew it was going to be a very difficult game,” he said, according to French outlet Foot Mercato. “We were playing against one of the best teams in the world, a team that had not lost this season. But our team is amazing.”

Barcelona twice fought back to level the score, adding to the tension and uncertainty of the contest. Hakimi said the match had also highlighted Paris Saint-Germain’s ability to perform when facing leading European opposition.

“It was a great game for the fans, but we also enjoyed playing in it,” he said. “In matches like these, you have to defend and attack at a very high level.”

Paris Saint-Germain’s recent results against Manchester City and Barcelona have given Hakimi and his team-mates confidence in their ability to compete at the highest level. However, the defender said their focus was already on the wider objective for the campaign rather than on one result.

“We have a big target that we want to achieve this year: to win the Champions League again,” Hakimi said. “Our aim is to keep winning.”

The ambition is reinforced by the daily influence of manager Luis Enrique, who Hakimi said continually reminds the squad of the standards required to challenge for major honours.

“The coach makes sure every day that we do not lose our winning mentality,” he added. “We give our very best, and I hope we can continue winning.”

The result over Barcelona followed Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-2 victory against Manchester City the previous week, while Barcelona’s defeat ended their unbeaten start to the season.