Matvey Safonov (center) / Photo: © Aurelien Meunier – PSG / Contributor / PSG / Gettyimages.ru
PSG is unbeaten with a Russian goalkeeper in the lineup.
The transfer of Matvey Safonov to the French PSG caused skepticism among both Russian and French fans. But the performance of the Russian goalkeeper on the last frontier of the capital team convinced the huge crowd of fans at the stadium, who stood and greeted the goalkeeper after a brilliant victory.
Well taken advantage of the chance
After the arrival of Qatari investors in PSG, serious competition appeared for any position, including goalkeeper. In recent years, many star gatekeepers have performed in the French capital. Now the main goalkeeper of Luis Enrique’s team is Gianluigi Donnarumma. In this light, Safonov’s transition to the Parisians’ camp initially looked doubtful.
But the Russian goalkeeper dreamed of performing in Europe. He was not embarrassed by the role of replacing the strong goalkeeper of the Italian national team. At the same time, Matvey was determined to compete for a place in the base. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long for my chance. In mid-September, Donnarumma suffered muscle damage to his right thigh. Thanks to this, Matvey stood in goal for PSG in the Champions League match against Girona.
Safonov frankly had little work with the Spanish club, only one shot on target. At the same time, the Parisians had the initiative, which allowed them to win with a score of 1:0. The French championship game against Reims went the same way, but here Matvey failed to parry the only accurate shot, and PSG drew 1:1.
But in his third game for the Parisians, the Russian goalkeeper had more work. On the home field, the capital team hosted a strong Rennes, which in previous seasons regularly took points away from PSG in the championship.
This time the “red-blues” did not allow their opponents to force a fight. The game was dictated by the Parisians. Already in the 5th minute the ball hit the visitors’ goal, but the goal was not counted due to offside. However, the owners soon achieved their goal. Barcola put PSG ahead in the 30th minute. Lee Kang-In then extended the lead in the 58th minute. Safonov also took part in the third scoring attack of the Parisians. After his clearance, the hosts rushed forward and Barkola scored a double after Achraf Hakimi’s cross.
Unfortunately, Matvey was unable to keep the gate intact. He did not save the penalty awarded against him. But the goalkeeper made an excellent save after a dangerous shot from outside the penalty area. In total, Safonov made four saves in this match. This helped PSG win 3:1.
“Even God won’t help with such protection!”
After another successful performance, Matvey, together with other football players, approached the fan stand, where fans stood chanting the name of the Russian goalkeeper. Safonov responded with applause and also presented them with goalkeeper gloves. The footballer immediately gained a massive following on social networks.
– Safonov is good. None of us consider ourselves Donnarumma fans, especially on this team,” wrote @TheDevilsDNA.
— Am I the only one who thinks that Safonov looks more skilled when playing on the second floor? – asks @parisienouri3n.
“Let’s summarize what I saw in Safonov’s performance: no mistakes, an important save and a successful clearance from the goal that led to a goal,” summed up the performance of the Russian @EduardStreltsof.
“Safonov was very good, he was more accurate than Donnarumma and made a great save,” @Adrien18800331 praised our footballer.
– Poor Safonov! He will never be able to keep a clean sheet because of Beraldo,” accused @samm_twt of the culprit of the awarded penalty.
—Who called Safonov a bad goalkeeper? Even God cannot help with such protection! — wrote @NEakashi.
Despite three matches without defeat, most likely this meeting will be the last for Matvey before Donnarumma returns. The French press is already writing that the Italian has fully recovered from his injury and is ready to play in the Champions League match against Arsenal.
