Captain’s Call in Europe: Hakimi Leads PSG in Champions League Clash Against Leverkusen

Captaincy and Starting Lineups

A Spanish coach named Louis Enrique named the Paris Saint-Germain starting XI for the Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, with Achraf Hakimi wearing the captain's armband. Marquinhos was named among the substitutes, signaling a touch of rotation and a nod to Hakimi's growing leadership within the squad.

Form, Standings, and Opponents

PSG, the defending champions of the competition, opened their campaign with two convincing wins, defeating Atalanta 4-0 at the Parc des Princes and then beating Barcelona 2-1 at Montjuïc. Leverkusen, led by Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand, began with a goalless draw against the Cypriot side Pafos in Germany and subsequently lost to Arsenal in London.

Team Selection and Bundesliga Context

Hakimi’s armband signaled a moment of leadership as PSG lined up with a blend of experience and youth. The bench featured a number of veterans, including Marquinhos, while the starting XI highlighted Hakimi among the key contributors for the night.

League and European Form Ahead of Kickoff

Before the match, Bayer Leverkusen sat fifth in the Bundesliga with 14 points, trailing Borussia Dortmund on goal difference for the fourth spot, and ahead of Köln in sixth with 11. Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim and Union Berlin were tied on 10 points. PSG have collected five Ligue 1 wins and one defeat this season, with wins over Nantes and Angers, a 6-3 victory over Toulouse, and recent successes against Lens and Auxerre, followed by stalemates against Lille and Strasbourg before the international break.

Ousmane Dembélé returned to action after more than six weeks out with a thigh injury, strengthening PSG’s attacking options. Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and other key players contributed to the squad’s depth, even as injuries lingered for others.

The PSG squad listed for the Leverkusen game included Hakimi, Beraldo, Zabarni, Kvaratskhelia, Doi, Vitinha, Sene Maiolo, Nuno Mendes, Barcola, Zaier Emri, and Willian. On the bench were several seasoned campaigners who could swing the match in PSG’s favor as the contest evolved.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen lined up with a typical Bundesliga setup designed to press PSG’s defense and exploit counter opportunities, with a substitute pool ready to shift if needed. The Bundesliga table and head-to-head form teased a tight encounter, with both clubs seeking a pivotal result in Europe.

PSG’s Ligue 1 form has been strong overall, reinforcing expectations for a deep run in Europe. The side’s balance of youth and experience, plus Hakimi’s captaincy, adds a dynamic layer as the group stage unfolds and echoes the club’s ongoing ambition to conquer the continent.

Punchline time, because even football needs a mic-drop moment: If tactics were a sniper rifle, Hakimi’s passes would be the perfect headshots—precise and always on target. And for good measure: PSG’s defense is so tight that the ball filed a restraining order, insisting it stay in its own half for the night.