Paris Saint-Germain’s defender Achraf Hakimi exited the pitch in visible distress after suffering an ankle injury due to a reckless tackle from Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz during a UEFA Champions League match at the Parc des Princes on October 23, 2023. The incident occurred after Díaz had already scored two goals in the first half, giving Bayern a commanding lead before receiving a straight red card following a VAR review of the challenge.
The match saw Díaz score twice, putting Bayern ahead 2-0 until the controversial tackle on Hakimi resulted in his dismissal. The challenge, executed with two legs, left Hakimi unable to bear weight on his left leg as he was escorted from the field in tears.
Bayern’s lead was established early in the match, and they managed to secure a 2-1 victory, moving them to the top of the Champions League group stage. Earlier in the first half, Ousmane Dembélé had a goal disallowed for offside, which led to him being substituted shortly after, appearing to show signs of discomfort. He was replaced by Lee Kang-in and headed straight to the dressing room, raising concerns about his fitness.
Dembélé had recently returned from a six-week injury layoff due to a hamstring issue sustained while playing for the French national team. Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, had assured fans of Dembélé’s fitness prior to the match. The team also faced challenges with forward Désiré Doué sidelined due to a right thigh injury.
The ramifications of the match extend beyond the scoreline, as injuries to key players could impact PSG’s performance in the ongoing Champions League campaign. The club will hope for quick recoveries, particularly for both Hakimi and Dembélé, as they navigate the intense competition ahead.
Information from The Associated Press was incorporated into this report.
