The internal duel between Matvey Safonov and Lucas Chevalier, for a place as number 1 goalkeeper at Paris Saint-Germain, has been relaunched again. Preferred to the Frenchman for the clash against Newcastle United, in the Champions League, then in Strasbourg, in Alsace, Matvey Safonov once again proved decisive against Strasbourg by stopping Joaquin Panichelli’s penalty during PSG’s victory against Strasbourg at Meinau (1-2). The last Russian defense has five penalty saves this season in just seven attempts and has logically revived the competition with Chevalier.
And Luis Enrique’s words didn’t help matters. Asked about the new decisive performance of his goalkeeper, the Spanish technician had very strong words, which should not help the case of the French international. “Safonov? I think he’s the best goalkeeper I’ve had in my career to stop penalties. I’ve had several though. He has the ability to guess which side the shooter will choose.admitted the former Barça coach in particular about his goalkeeper, credited with a 6.5 by our editorial staff.
The Russian press assures that Safonov is already number 1
In Russia, the media are logically much less measured. Like the newspaper Championshipwhich ensures that “Safonov now seems to be able to be considered PSG’s number one goalkeeper. At least for now. The Russian’s convincing performance in the matchday 20 match against Strasbourg only strengthened his status in Paris. Thanks in particular to his talent for stopping penalties”. Sportbox went further, ensuring that “Safonov saved the penalty and became the hero of PSG. Nobody even remembers Chevalier.”.
And it doesn’t stop there, since Sport24 indicates that “Chevalier’s transfer to PSG is already turning into a fiasco”ensuring that Safonov had won an indisputable starting place. For his part, the doorman preferred to remain sober: this has been my job. I have to stop this“, he assured. Enough to seriously undermine the position of Lucas Chevalier, who will have to prove his worth to Luis Enrique as quickly as possible. “It depends on performance, on life, on many things. What I can say as a coach is that I am very happy to have three goalkeepers of this level.assured Luis Enrique.
