Hakimi’s thigh injury forces PSG to start 20‑year‑old Zaire‑Emery in Champions League semi‑final second leg

Context PSG won the first leg 3‑2 at Parc des Princes, giving them a 5‑4 aggregate advantage heading into the return match in Munich. On April 29 the club confirmed that Hakimi sustained a right thigh injury and will be unavailable for the next few weeks, ruling him out of the semi‑final second leg. The injury came after he played through visible discomfort in the closing minutes of the first leg, when PSG had exhausted its substitutions.

Key Facts Hakimi’s injury is diagnosed as a right thigh strain that will keep him sidelined for several weeks, according to the club’s medical bulletin. PSG leads the tie 5‑4 on aggregate after the first leg, meaning they can lose by a single goal in Munich and still advance to the final. Twenty‑year‑old Warren Zaire‑Emery, primarily a central midfielder, is expected to start at right‑back; he has made occasional appearances in full‑back positions during domestic cup matches this season.

What It Means Replacing an established full‑back with a young midfielder tested in a defensive role may affect PSG’s ability to contain Bayern’s wide attacks, especially from wingers like Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry. Zaire‑Emery’s limited experience at right‑back could prompt Luis Enrique to adopt a more compact midfield shape, asking the wing‑backs to provide extra cover or instructing the central defenders to shift wider. Bayern will likely look to exploit any defensive uncertainty on the flanks, aiming to overturn the aggregate deficit with early pressure. The situation also raises questions about Hakimi’s availability for Morocco’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, though the national team has not commented.

What to watch next Watch how Zaire‑Emery handles one‑on‑one situations against Bayern’s wingers and whether PSG can maintain their lead after 90 minutes in Munich.