· 2 min readIn this Le Havre vs PSG match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
PSG came into matchday nine of Ligue 1 as league leaders with 17 points, facing the bottom side. Le Havre had just two points and were still without a win, while the Parisians were coming off two big victories: 4-2 against Barcelona and 2-0 against Lyon. Despite making several changes, with Vitinha, João Neves, Pacho, Fabián Ruiz and Doué all starting on the bench, a comfortable win was expected.
Le Havre lined up with five defenders and a very high defensive line, at times almost in midfield. They defended in a 5-2-3, leaving little space between the lines, but with only two players in midfield whenever the wingers failed to drop back. It was a risky approach, but it was working. By the 15th minute, PSG already had 83% possession, although they had created very little danger.
And it was Le Havre who scored first. In the 18th minute, after Mayulu lost possession, the home side launched a counter-attack. The ball travelled from the left into the middle and then to Djibril Ouziad, who played Rayan Fofana through. Fofana crossed towards the far post, where Josh Maja only had to tap it in. A goal that rewarded the home side’s bravery. At that moment, everything was going perfectly for Le Havre.
The response came in the 26th minute. Lucas Hernández picked out Hakimi with an extraordinary pass behind the defence. The Moroccan controlled the ball and crossed for Mika Godts to finish. Three minutes later, Mayulu found Hakimi making an inside run, and the full-back once again exploited the space, drove forward and shot inside the near post. In just three minutes, PSG had gone from losing to leading. Lamine N’Diaye looked very bad in both situations, always a step too slow to react to the runs in behind.
Despite the turnaround, Le Havre had enjoyed a very positive first half. They reached the break with eight shots, compared to PSG’s seven, while the expected goals figures were almost identical: 1.23 for Le Havre and 1.22 for the visitors. With just 25% possession, they had managed to create danger rather than simply sit back and defend.
In the 55th minute, Hakimi scored again, this time from a direct free-kick. From a position further to the left, he curled the ball towards the far side and placed it just inside the bottom-right corner. A superb goal that made it 1-3 and practically ended Le Havre’s hopes. The home side still threatened, with Josh Maja heading against the far post. But PSG launched a counter-attack from that move. Hakimi played Mayulu through, and he rounded the goalkeeper to make it 1-4 in the 62nd minute.
The best was still to come. In the 69th minute, a ball played in from the left found Hakimi arriving between the defenders. The full-back collected it inside the box and shot towards goal. The ball took a touch off the goalkeeper but still went in. A hat-trick, three goals and two assists: Hakimi had been directly involved in all five of PSG’s goals. He was taken off just a minute later after an absolutely extraordinary performance.
There was still time for Safonov to shine. In the 87th minute, after Beraldo lost possession, Mbwana Samatta unleashed a shot towards the top corner, but the goalkeeper produced an unbelievable save. He denied Le Havre again in stoppage time.
Post-match
The final score was 1-5. Le Havre had a very good first half, but couldn’t stop PSG. Hakimi produced an absolutely extraordinary performance.
