A sham score. PSG finally won by a wide margin against Toulouse 3-0 but the reality on the scoreboard is quite different. The reigning French champion and broad leader of Ligue 1 did not shine. His attack at half-mast once again almost cost him dearly and it was at the end of regulation time that the match changed with the two goals scored by Beraldo (84th) and Vitinha (90th + 1). Toulouse rose to the occasion throughout the match and things could have turned out differently if Matvey Safonov had not saved his team in front of Magri (80th). The score was then only 1-0…
The Russian’s start was not necessarily expected last night at the Parc des Princes. Three elements emerge from his accomplished performance (our editorial staff gave him a score of 6, The Team gave it a 7). On the one hand, he responded with this other important save in the first period on Gboho (19th). On the other hand, this is already his second clean sheet in 4 Ligue 1 matches, which brings us to the third point. After a first month spent on the bench, this is already his 4th match in the last 8 days of Ligue 1. He is taking up more and more space in Luis Enrique’s mind, which the Spaniard himself recognizes. .
Luis Enrique recognizes a tactical choice
In a post-match press conference, he responded in the affirmative to a journalist who asked him if it was for tactical reasons. Another raises him on the possibility that Safonov shakes up the hierarchy. “Maybe yes, maybe no» he taunts in French. He alone has the answer but we know that the tactician is not a big fan of Gigio Donnarumma. In addition to the Italian’s wanderings, especially in big matches, Luis Enrique is regularly annoyed by failures to follow his instructions and his kicking game is not satisfactory. The former Milanese’s place is in danger and it starts on Tuesday in Munich in the Champions League.
Safonov, for his part, preferred to put his performance into perspective, aware that there is a subject. “I think all our matches are quite similar. We share matches with Gigi and we only have a few opportunities to do good things and put ourselves forward. We have to create more chances than our opponents. With Donnarumma? This is a normal situation. We prepare him for this type of situation. Maybe at the stadium it looks difficult but it was easy for me. Yes, it wasn’t bad. We have a normal situation. We work together and we progress together.” PSG’s starting lineup in Bavaria will be scrutinized with great attention.
