Achraf Hakimi: 'It's a very tough league'

Achraf, Paris are runaway league leaders, but every game seems very difficult. Is that how you see it?

Yes, it's a very tough league, very physical, and the level is very, very high, even if people don't always think so. But there are a lot of games and a lot of difficult stadiums with great players here. Every game is complicated to play.

Did you expect this level?

I had already seen a lot of Ligue 1 matches. I also knew a lot of players from my national team who play here, and I also played against French teams, so I expected it. The teams and the level here are very high.

After the draw against Nice, what is the team's state of mind for this game against Lens?

It's a good thing to play at a big club that plays every three or four days, between the Champions League, the championship and the Coupe de France that is coming up, because it allows us to quickly move on and to immediately start working to improve. We have a game tomorrow and it is an opportunity for us to show everyone what we are capable of, that the last match is behind us now and we are in the present, more motivated than ever to chase more victories. I was told that the atmosphere is electric in Lens, so we will have to be prepared for that!