Matveï Safonov’s rise to PSG’s number one after Chelsea masterclass | OneFootball

Matveï Safonov has firmly taken the gloves as Paris Saint-Germain’s number one, and PSG visit Nice on Saturday at 21:05 for the 27th round. Le Progres notes the 27-year-old has been central to their Champions League quarter-final berth this season.

PSG eased past Chelsea 3-0 in Tuesday’s last-16 tie, with Safonov outstanding. He made nine saves and picked out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the opener in the sixth minute.

His distribution was not flawless, with some errant clearances that drew a rebuke from Luis Enrique, and a few hesitant claims. Even so, captain Marquinhos underlined that champions lean on goalkeepers who rescue them at key moments. Luis Enrique said winning a Champions League away second leg is impossible without a top keeper, and stressed he trusts both Safonov and Lucas Chevalier.

Chevalier has been overtaken this season and, if Safonov avoids a major mistake in the coming weeks, a recall before the end of May looks unlikely. The former Lille keeper has been called up by France, with Didier Deschamps noting he often supports important players in club difficulty, that this situation is not ideal for him, but that he has not lost his value in four months.

Since arriving in 2023, Luis Enrique has not hesitated to revisit the goalkeeping hierarchy, even briefly pitting Gianluigi Donnarumma against Safonov last season. In mid-February, Safonov acknowledged the competition was tough and said that, although he had been starting more often, it did not mean he would play the next match, while Chevalier stands ready to seize any opening.

Source: Le Progres