Loan Tracker: Achraf Hakimi Brilliant vs Hannover with Goal and an Assist

In his 19 games this season, Achraf Hakimi—from primarily the left back position— has produced 2 goals and 7 assits. The 20 year old has been, without a doubt, one of the best young talents in the Bundesliga. He has cemented himself as one of the first names on Lucien Farve’s team sheet. It was another brilliant match for Dortmund as they extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to nine points, with a game in hand. A scintillating 5-1 win over Hannover, where Achraf put in a man of the match performance.

The Moroccan is now very comfortable and confident in his play. The continuity he has afforded at Dortmund has allowed his game to flourish. We would not be seeing this side of Achraf if he opted to stay in Madrid. His move to Germany, in hindsight, has proven to be a crucial decision in his development. Achraf had a role in the first three of the five goals — scoring the opener, assisting Reus on the second, and making a darting run on the third.

The goal was a beauty — a quick one two down the left flank, Achraf then cuts inside onto his right foot and just outside the box, he curls one into the bottom right hand corner. It was a FIFA-esque goal:

The second goal would come in the 60th minute. Dortmund executed a brilliant high press which saw Achraf hound and win the ball in the oppositions box, that dispossession quickly led to a slotted pass across goal to Marco Reus who extended Dortmund’s lead. In the space of seven minutes Dortmund turned it on and scored three goals. From 1-0 to a 4-0 lead, the match was done and dusted. Achraf even had a role in the third goal. Another superb counter from Dortmund saw Jadon Sancho on the ball down the left flank, Achraf—with his unbelievable motor— raced down the wing to provide an option on the overlap, forcing one of Hannover’s fullbacks to cover him and giving Sancho the ability to cut inside with more space. He then found Gotze who dispatched the ball into the back of the net. It was a Dortmund onslaught, the black and yellow have shown no signs of slowing down this season.

Stats and additional notes:

—Weak side defending continues to be a highlight: When the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch, so the right side (Achraf occupies the left), it is interesting to note Achraf’s weak side positioning and defending. Achraf, unlike Marcelo, is very tuned in. He looks along the line and tucks in when necessary. This has been highlighted a few times this season. Then the beauty is, he has the speed to ignite a counter and transition immediately into attack.

—Minutes at right back: Marcel Schmelzer replaced Piszczek in the 70th minute, allowing Achraf to swap over to the right flank and get some minutes at the right full back position.

Stats:

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

Touches: 105

Passes: 76 (88% PA)

Completed Dribbles: 1

Tackles: 4

Interceptions: 2

Stats Via Whoscored