Real Madrid loanee Achraf Hakimi scores two goals to guide Dortmund to a UCL victory
By Ben Sundock
He may be a fullback, but Real Madrid loanee Achraf Hakimi managed to carry Borussia Dortmund to a 2-0 win at Slavia Prague thanks to two wonderful goals.
Achraf’s first career goal in the Champions League will live in the minds of football fans for some time. It is nearly impossible to overlook the incredible solo effort from the Moroccan international which led to the first goal on Wednesday night in Prague.
A great through pass from Julian Brandt sprung Hakimi down the right wing as Slavia Prague paid the price for pushing too far up the pitch. The home standing Czech club had just two defenders back to deal with the charging Hakimi and Jadon Sancho in the middle.
Although the run itself was a masterpiece, the finish and dribbling the Real Madrid loanee managed with defenders around him is the best part of his goal. Twitter and Reddit certainly took notice of the phenomenal effort.
From box-to-box in 10 seconds 😳🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2019
Dortmund with an absolutely stunning counter-attacking goal!
Outrageous pace and compose from Achraf Hakimi 👏 pic.twitter.com/vShRACV6wy
Achraf Hakimi has scored two goals in a single game for the first time in his career.
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 2, 2019
At the double for Borussia Dortmund. pic.twitter.com/sUB9AmxOti
Dortmund manager Lucien Favre took a risk deploying Achraf as a left winger in this match, but the talented youngster delivered in every way possible. Just take a look at some of his stats:
- 12/17 passes in the final third
- 8 ball recoveries
- 4 shots (3 on target and a team high)
- 100% crossing accuracy
- 100% take-ons completed
- 2 goals
Hakimi has recovered nicely from a broken foot suffered towards the end of last season and has been a key figure for Dortmund since his arrival in Germany over a year ago.
This performance from Achraf is exciting for Real Madrid and manager Zinedine Zidane as he is getting to see what the fullback is truly capable of. Clearly, he is an option to play as a left winger or midfielder if injuries crop off.
And of course, he has the ability to play in the left fullback spot or on the right.
At 20-years-old, Achraf Hakimi appears to be a better, more well-rounded utility player than Nacho Fernandez. Nacho is very good at playing in any of the four defensive positions, but he offers little when going forward.
Achraf, on the other hand, looks more like Marcelo when he bursts down the wing with the ball at his feet.
Next. How Nacho’s injury significantly hurts defensive depth. dark
I don’t want to make outlandish claims, but if Real Madrid continues to suffer defensive injuries like they have this year – Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy have all missed at least one match due to an injury – Hakimi could be recalled by the club before his loan stint is officially over.