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Tag: Hakimi

  • Achraf Hakimi apologises to FIFA president Infantino

    Achraf Hakimi apologises to FIFA president Infantino

    Paris Saint-Gernain fullback Achraf Hakimi has apologised to Gianni Infantino following his confrontation with the FIFA president.

    The Morocco full-back reportedly questioned Infantino on the level of officiating at the World Cup following the Atlas Lions’ 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the third-place play-off.

    Walid Regragui’s side had a penalty appeal turned down against the 2018 runners-up when they felt that Youssef En-Nesyri’s header struck Bruno Petkovic’s hand, while Ibrahima Konaté’s challenge on Sofiane Boufal also went unpunished in the semi-final defeat to France. A replay showed that the ball had in fact hit Petkovic’s back.

    But Hakimi, who also confronted Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, has since had second thoughts and expressed remorse over the incident.

    The former Real Madrid fullback admitted that he let his frustration boil over.

    According to reports, the defender spoke to Infantino “politely but desperately” regarding those refereeing decisions as the president was waiting to hand Croatia their medals.

    “Nothing happened,” he told reporters. “I was angry after the end of the match. I went to talk to him, and I apologised for the words I said to him. He is my friend and I respect him a lot, so there’s nothing more to say.”

  • Real Madrid never considered me – Hakimi

    Real Madrid never considered me – Hakimi

    Paris Saint-Germain wing-back Achraf Hakimi admits Real Madrid never really rated him.

    Hakimi will face his former club in the Champions League round of 16 this week.

    He recalled, “It was due to a little on the lack of maturity and a little on the confidence. When you arrive from the youth academy it is normal that the club does not bet so much on you; then I had two great seasons at Dortmund and I had to decide what to do, since Real still didn’t consider me.

    “I knew I could play at high levels; when Inter bought me, Real had an option but didn’t exercise it.

    “I’m happy that other big clubs have invested in of me.”

  • Tottenham fullback admits asking Hakimi about Conte

    Tottenham fullback admits asking Hakimi about Conte

    Tottenham fullback Sergio Reguilon admits he asked PSG defender Achraf Hakimi about new manager Antonio Conte.

    The pair played together at Real Madrid, with Hakimi winning Serie A under Conte last season at Inter Milan.

    “The gaffer is special,” Reguilon told the London Evening Standard. “He loves training hard but now we don’t have a lot of time to work on the things he wants on the pitch. So we did a lot of meetings with videos this week.

    “I’ve never played five at the back before. I have to learn quickly. The gaffer has told me he wants me to be solid in defence but at the same moment I have to arrive in the box, help the strikers, score goals, give assists. Now I have more of a chance to score goals and give assists. So let’s work.

    “I have to see many videos with the staff to do what they want on the pitch. I’m enjoying the position a lot because I can attack more but I have to run double!

    “I’ve watched a lot of videos of Chelsea and Inter Milan, and I have a friend at Inter, Achraf Hakimi who I spoke to about the gaffer. He told me I will improve a lot under him and I want to do that as soon as possible. He said I will have to work really, really hard but I will improve a lot. In one week, I can already see that.”

  • Hakimi ‘surprised’ by Lionel Messi’s behaviour at PSG

    Hakimi ‘surprised’ by Lionel Messi’s behaviour at PSG

    Lionel Messi is “simple and quiet” in the dressing room, according to Archaf Hakimi, who admits being “surprised” by the Paris Saint-Germain superstar’s behaviour.

    “Building a technical relationship with him is easy! I give him the ball, I run and he will put it where it belongs!” the PSG full-back, who also joined the club in the summer transfer window, told L’Equipe. “I was surprised by the way he behaved, he is simple, quiet.”

    Hakimi is grateful for the opportunity to play alongside Messi, and thinks he and the rest of his teammates can reach a new level while working with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

    “For Messi to leave Barca, like everyone else, I didn’t expect it, and when I heard you were coming here, what can I say? A dream for me!” he added.

    “I played with many great players and the only one I missed was Messi! I am proud to evolve with such a good footballer.

    “To progress, I will pay attention to how he trains, how he plays. It will grow the team and each of the players that make it up. We speak the same language, in addition, little by little we are getting to know each other.”

  • Hakimi wants to return to Real Madrid – Conte

    Hakimi wants to return to Real Madrid – Conte

    Former Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte believes PSG fullback Achraf Hakimi wants to return to Real Madrid.

    Conte and Hakimi worked together at Inter last season as they won the Serie A title.

    “Psychologically, Hakimi suffered a bit from last year’s games with Real Madrid,” Conte recalled. “His dream is to play for that club again as a key man.

    “I remember those two games very well. From there, he worked a lot and I saw a young player who wanted to learn how to work. He understood that what he was doing in the offensive phase was not enough, now he is among the strongest in the world. If he keeps working on the last delivery, he can be world class.”

    Conte also praised Hakimi’s replacement at Inter, Denzel Dumfries, formally of PSV Eindhoven.

    “They have signed a great player to replace Hakimi. If he can make his way into the team, he can be a great replacement for him,” added Conte.

  • Chelsea include Alonso to entice Inter in Hakimi sale

    Chelsea include Alonso to entice Inter in Hakimi sale

    Chelsea are becoming more persistent in their attempts to sign Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan.

    Per Italian newspaper La Repubblica, manager Thomas Tuchel is keen to add the right sided player to boost his squad ahead of the new season.

    The 22-year-old may be sold by Italian champions Inter to balance their books.

    The source claims Chelsea have made an offer for Hakimi of £52 million plus left back Marcos Alonso.

    The money would allow Inter breathing space financially, while giving their recently hired manager Simone Inzaghi a quality left sided option.

  • Chelsea prepared to make swap offer for Inter Milan fullback

    Chelsea prepared to make swap offer for Inter Milan fullback

    Champions League winner Chelsea are willing to make a swap offer for Inter Milan fullback Achraf Hakimi.

    Sky Italia’s Gianluca di Marzio reports the London club are ready to get a jump-start the bidding war by offering Inter two players plus cash to tempt them into giving up their prized asset.

    The Blues are willing to offer both Emerson Palmieri and Andreas Christensen to the Serie A champions in the hope that the defensive duo will cover whatever hole has been left by the Hakimi on the right side of defence.

    It remains to be seen if Inter would accept such an offer or if they would prefer a straight sum in order to pay off their mounting debts.

  • Eriksen, Hakimi score as Inter close on Serie A title

    Eriksen, Hakimi score as Inter close on Serie A title

    Inter Milan closed in on their first Italian Serie A title since 2010 with second-half goals from Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi at Crotone.

    Inter will be crowned champions on Sunday if second-placed Atalanta fail to claim all three points at Sassuolo.

    Denmark midfielder Eriksen broke the deadlock shortly after being brought on as a substitute by boss Antonio Conte.

    Hakimi added another in injury time as the away win also confirmed bottom side Crotone’s instant return to Serie B.

    Even if Atalanta earn victory against eighth-placed Sassuolo, Inter know they would need just one point from their final four matches to lift the Scudetto.

    Conte’s side are 14 points clear of Atalanta and have a superior head-to-head record over their nearest rivals.

    It would represent another title triumph for Conte, who led Juventus to three consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2014.

    The former Italy and Chelsea manager has transformed Inter’s fortunes since arriving in May 2019, leading them to a Serie A runners-up finish and the Europa League final last season.

    It followed a downturn in the club’s fortunes over much of the previous decade, having finished as low as ninth in 2013 and not reaching a major final in the previous seven seasons.