Memories of Musiala as PSG await Hakimi diagnosis

This time around it was Paris Saint-Germain to brace themselves for a severe injury of one of their players in a match against Bayern Munich.

PSG were on Wednesday awaiting the diagnosis on Achraf Hakimi who suffered a suspected severe ankle injury on his 27th birthday the previous day from a reckless tackle by Luis Diaz for which the Bayern forward was sent off shortly before half-time.

The incident came almost on the day four months after Bayern playmaker Jamal Musiala broke his fibula and ankle in a collision with then PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at the Club World Cup, also just before intermission.

Musiala is yet to return and PSG fear that Hakimi could also be out for months as well after leaving the stadium on crutches.

“The most important thing is we hope that Hakimi recovers quickly," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.

Kompany added that Diaz "is an honest lad" and "doesn't want to injure anyone" while also highlighting that "the whole game is played at a high intensity."

PSG coach Luis Enrique agreed that "football is a contact sport" and said "it is a shame for Hakimi."

Title holders PSG not only lost but Hakimi star forward Ousmane Dembele limped off even earlier after 25 minutes of the match Bayern won 2-1.

The Ballon d'Or winner has been plagued by thigh muscle problems, missed several games earlier in the season but was still in the starting 11. A diagnosis was also outstanding in his case.