PSG's Hidden Asset: Enrique Reveals Hakimi’s Replacement Ahead of Lyon Clash

Impact of Hakimi's Injury and the Plan at Right-Back

Paris Saint‑Germain head coach Louis Enrique confirmed that the team will lean on a fresh face at right-back to cover for Achraf Hakimi, who is sidelined by an ankle injury. Hakimi tore ligaments in his left ankle during the 1‑2 loss to Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes in the UEFA Champions League.

The Moroccan star is expected to be out for several weeks following a tough challenge by Colombian attacker Luis Díaz, who scored both goals for Bayern that night.

There are growing fears that Hakimi could miss the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in his homeland from December 21 to January 18.

In remarks quoted by Le Parisien, Enrique said that young David Poli will be in the squad for tomorrow’s match against Lyon, but stressed the need to stay calm, to trust the players, and to avoid rushing anyone through a difficult period.

“The young player David Poli will be in the squad tomorrow for our match against Lyon, but we must stay calm, trust the players, and not rush,” Enrique stated. He also noted that PSG must balance ambition with patience as injuries mount and the schedule tightens.

Beyond Hakimi’s absence, PSG is contending with a broader injury wave that has affected Nuno Mendes, Ousmane Dembélé, and Desiré Doy, keeping several regulars out for weeks. Enrique emphasized that staying top of Ligue 1 and continuing a positive run in Europe remains the focus, while acknowledging that victory cannot come at the expense of defensive caution.

He added: “There is nothing more positive than being top of the league and winning three Champions League games. We cannot win every match 5-0 without conceding, as you want. We are in a good position, we have overcome many problems since the start of the season, we need to improve, and I am not worried.”

Enrique praised the players’ response after the Bayern defeat and said the Lyon game offers another chance to demonstrate the team’s strong footballing atmosphere and tactical flexibility. He also highlighted Kang‑In Lee’s contributions and said he expects the South Korean to take the field against Lyon, noting the time will be decided as part of rotation and squad management.

Of the squad’s versatility, Enrique also praised Warren Zaïre‑Emery and Sini Maiaolo for their ability to cover multiple roles, a factor that will complicate opponents’ preparation and testing the depth of PSG’s roster.

Enrique concluded by stressing that, with fewer congested fixtures, PSG should manage minutes carefully and continue to extract positives from the edges of the squad. “Without heavy fixture load, we won’t chase big competitions; we’ve played well against Bayern, so we must rotate the starting XI and regulate minutes,” he said.

Season snapshot and European run

PSG’s results for the 2025‑2026 campaign include seven wins and a single league defeat to their arch-rivals Marseille (0‑1) in a clash that coincided with the Ballon d’Or ceremony being postponed due to bad weather. The Parisians have also drawn twice in the league so far.

PSG began the campaign by defeating Nantes and Angers 1‑0, then crushed Toulouse 6‑3, beat Lens 2‑0, and downed Auxerre 2‑0. Before the international break, they drew with Lille 1‑1 away and Strasbourg 3‑3 at home, before reclaiming top spot with a win over Brest and draws with Lorient, then a 1‑0 win over Nice as part of their domestic push for a fifth consecutive league title.

In Europe, PSG have played five matches, winning four and lifting the European mood with a triumphant Super Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur on penalties after a 2‑2 draw. In the Champions League group stage, they opened with a 4‑0 win over Atalanta, followed by a 2‑1 win at Montjuïc against Barcelona, and a 7‑2 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, before a defeat to Bayern checked the momentum.

As the season progresses, PSG’s plan centers on balance: rotate when possible, protect key players, and rely on a squad capable of delivering in both Ligue 1 and Europe. The Lyon clash will be a test of that strategy and a chance to show that the depth chart can shoulder the burden when stars are sidelined.

Punchline time. If patience were a weapon, PSG would own a lifetime supply of silencers—the shots are coming, just not always where you expect. If football had a sniper, PSG would hire Poli as their new marksman: target the back of the net, not the post. And for good measure: the only thing faster than PSG’s passing is their ability to make a mortgage-length contract disappear into the print of a ball.