Matveï Safonov stakes PSG claim with Stamford Bridge show as team-mates take notice | OneFootball

Matveï Safonov produced his most convincing Paris Saint-Germain display in the 3-0 win at Chelsea, helping secure a 5-2 aggregate passage and nudging the goalkeeping debate in his favour.

According to L'Équipe, PSG's decision not to retain Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City, brought a spell of uncertainty between Lucas Chevalier's difficult bedding-in and the contested elevation of Safonov as No 1.

His early clearance sparked Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's opener in the 6th minute, then he resisted sustained pressure. Chelsea attempted 18 shots, nine on target, and Safonov made nine saves, including firm-handed stops from Cole Palmer on 42 minutes and Liam Delap on 61 minutes.

Aged 27, he had chiefly stood out in shootouts, decisive against Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup and at Lens in the 2024 Coupe de France, but otherwise had been steady rather than spectacular. Strong on his line, less so in aerial traffic, his distribution is generally tidy yet not flawless.

Team-mates voiced their confidence, with Kvaratskhelia feeling the man-of-the-match award could have gone to the goalkeeper and Marquinhos stressing that champions rely on keepers who reassure and withstand pressure.

It is still early to say Safonov offers every guarantee or can be the decisive barrier Donnarumma was in spring 2025, but this was a clear step he must back up in the next round. Chevalier, 24, is not satisfied with his situation, leans on close family support and has been reminded there was a logic to Safonov's recent run.

Source: L'Équipe