Matveï Safonov cements PSG status with commanding Anfield display to seal semi-final place | OneFootball

Matveï Safonov delivered a commanding performance as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at Liverpool on Tuesday night to reach the last four. Dominant in the air and assured on his line, the Russian goalkeeper kept Anfield quiet in a downpour.

L'Équipe notes that he beat away Milos Kerkez’s close-range effort on 32 minutes, a key stop. Early in the second half he punched corners and crosses under pressure, then pushed aside Cody Gakpo’s strike on 49 minutes. He thwarted Kerkez again on 87 minutes to cap a tie he controlled.

A year after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Anfield masterclass, Safonov looked every inch the heir. The 27-year-old, 1.92 m, had already sparkled at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the last 16. The faith of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos was evident as PSG rode out Liverpool’s surge.

His style is unorthodox, more 80s than modern, yet his bravery stands out. As PSG wobbled after the restart he did not flinch, commanding his box and relying on reflexes that underpinned last season’s European triumph. Luis Enrique disliked some distribution, though one bold pass sent Barcola clear.

This was a clean sheet in both legs and leaves Safonov three matches from Parisian folklore. The elite forwards await next, but PSG now know they have a keeper capable of taking them to Budapest on 30 May. Four months ago few imagined this, save Enrique, whose spring call to sideline €55m signing Lucas Chevalier after five months now carries full weight.

Source: L'Équipe