Goalkeeper Safonov strives to play brighter than Akinfeev and wants to leave a more visible mark in football, says Nigmatullin

Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvey Safonov wants to leave a more visible mark on the history of Russian football than CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, former Russian national team player Ruslan Nigmatullin believes.

Safonov played 151 matches for the main team of Krasnodar, played 46 times “to zero”. Also on account of the 24-year-old player nine meetings for the Russian national team.

– Safonov was remembered in recent years by saying that Akinfeev’s career is not the ultimate dream. Not overconfident for someone who has made several serious mistakes over the past year?

– I do not agree that these are self-confident statements, because everyone has their own opinion. Safonov has a certain goalkeeper standard. It is clear that the press idealizes Akinfeev. Igor has his own style, he has patriotic feelings for the club, which makes him different from other goalkeepers.

But if we talk about goalkeeping skills, then goalkeepers come in different styles. I understand the words of Safonov, for him the examples of a goalkeeper and a career look different. I respect his opinion, it is not necessary to confess your love to other goalkeepers. Matvey strives to play brighter than Akinfeev and wants to leave a more visible mark. His statements, which could seem daring to someone, are connected with this, – Metaratings.ru quotes Nigmatullin.

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