Press review: Safonov under scrutiny and PSG backup plans | OneFootball

This Sunday, April 5, the French press (from a sporting perspective) focused, as far as Paris Saint-Germain are concerned, on questions surrounding Matvey Safonov (27-year-old goalkeeper) ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool this Wednesday, and on the development of roles against Toulouse for Lucas Beraldo (22-year-old defender), Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward) and Nuno Mendes (23-year-old left-back). There was also a mention of Liverpool, who suffered a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City this Saturday in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Le Parisien –

L’Equipe –

We’re used to it: everything has to be dramatized at PSG. Maybe even more so in the goalkeeper position, where the media want to see a problem. Safonov made a mistake, so burn him at the stake! Let’s forget the good performances and the fact that he fits into PSG’s playing philosophy. Lucas Chevalier (24), heavily criticized during the first half of the season, is once again the solution. Above all, let everyone work and fight for their place, without always wanting to change everything.

Coach Luis Enrique is already bringing plenty of new ideas, this time with Beraldo in midfield. Against Nice and Toulouse, the Brazilian was interesting. Of course, he will still need to confirm it in tougher matches for PSG. But it is a good solution to give him more playing time, while also allowing Vitinha (26) to get some rest.

Likewise, with Nuno Mendes in attack, it is another option. Even if there is less conviction that his qualities are being fully used there. It still offers the possibility of attacking in behind, especially with Bradley Barcola (23) injured.

As for Doué, it feels less like something new. He has already played many times in midfield during his career, even if that had been less common in recent months at PSG. Still, it is worth noting that this time he was the one in midfield and Lee Kang-In (25) in attack, whereas it had usually been more the other way around. It is also a way to have Doué more on the left and Lee on the right, their preferred sides.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.