Hakimi ruled out of Champions League return at Bayern with thigh injury

PARIS, France (AFP) — Paris Saint-Germain will be without right-back Achraf Hakimi for next week's Champions League semi-final second leg in Munich, the reigning European champions confirmed on Wednesday, citing a thigh problem.

Luis Enrique's side carry a 5-4 aggregate lead into the May 6 return fixture at Bayern Munich, but losing the Morocco international represents a serious setback for the French champions.

Hakimi appeared to be in pain during the late stages of Tuesday's opening leg but stayed on the pitch as PSG had already used all of their permitted substitutions.

"Hakimi will be out of action for the next few weeks," the club announced, confirming the damage was to his right thigh.

With Hakimi unavailable, 20-year-old midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to slot in at right-back. Hakimi placed sixth in the Ballon d'Or rankings last year, and his injury also casts doubt over whether he will be fit in time to feature for Morocco at the upcoming World Cup.

Reserve goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is another absentee for the trip to Germany, also through injury.