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“I make my composition based on what I see on the pitch, what is best for the team and what the opponent is going to do. It’s obvious that Bayern is a team that is very similar to us with very high pressure, so we are going to need our goalkeeper to get out of this pressure.. Here is what Luis Enrique said at the microphone of Canal +, a few minutes before the clash between PSG and Bayern Munich as part of the 5th day of the Champions League, to justify the surprise tenure of Matvey Safonov, in place of Gianluigi Donnarumma. A strong choice from the Spanish technician, especially considering the stakes. But has it paid off?
Thrown into the deep end, the former Krasnodar player – already started against Girona and with 360 minutes played in Ligue 1 – was quick to reassure, particularly in the air. On a first Bavarian corner, the Russian international (13 caps), under pressure, stretched out perfectly to ward off the danger at the far post (5th). In the process, number 39 of the Rouge et Bleu repelled a point-blank shot from Musiala (7th) before stopping a new banderilla from Sané (12th). A reassuring start to the match which would nevertheless turn into a nightmare in a fraction of a second. After a first failed clearance and a few questionable restarts, the last bulwark of 25 years old was completely holed… Hindered in his exit from yet another Munich corner, he could only timidly deflect the leather, allowing Kim Min-jae to exult the ‘Allianz Arena (1-0, 38th).
A very costly mistake!
Despite this culpable blunder, Safonov quickly put on the warm-up blue and produced two new decisive saves in added time of the first act (45+2nd, 45+3rd). Taking advantage of the Bavarian clumsiness after returning from the locker room, like Musiala (62nd), Coman (67th) or Müller (82nd), the Russian then captured a blocked attempt from Olise (73rd) before saving his team by pushing back yet another shot from Musiala on his post (74th). In vain, the damage was already done and despite a desperate climb on the final Parisian corner in this match, the 1m92 right-hander could not be forgiven. Often put under pressure by Bavarian players, Safonov, credited with a 5 by the FM editorial team, finally showed too much fragility in his kicking game, an aspect often criticized by… Gianluigi Donnarumma.
With 41% of successful passes (13/32) and numerous clearances ending directly in touch, particularly during the first act, the neo-Parisian ultimately did not convince overall and his performance will continue to look like a lost bet. Present in the mixed zone, João Neves however refused to overwhelm his teammate. “We are a team, it’s not Matvey Safonov’s fault, it’s everyone’s mistakes, not just one man’s mistake. When an attacker scores, it’s not just the attacker, it’s the whole team and that also applies to mistakes. These are things that are part of football but we are a group, we are teammates.assured number 87. A speech similar to that given by Luis Enrique, also reluctant to designate his goalkeeper as the main culprit of this defeat. “There is always this desire to look for someone to blame. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s me. I am responsible. There you go, you have found the culprit. From there, I accept all criticism”. One thing is certain, with this new regrettable error, Paris is 26th and has almost already said goodbye to direct qualification for the round of 16…
