Football is a sport where you can go from forgotten to hero in a matter of a week. Matthew of Safon is a clear example of this. The Russian was beginning to get impatient with his situation with the PSGin which he had been a substitute for Donnarumma and after Chevalierbut an injury to the latter’s ankle opened the doors of ownership for him. In three matches between the sticks, the result has been devastating: two clean sheets, decisive in all the matches and the main protagonist of the title of the Intercontinental harvested by the champion of Europa this wednesday in Doha.
In the penalty shootout against Flemishin which he stopped four of the five shots, of Safon he agreed with Luis Enriquewhich if it has been characterized by something, it is by not having starters, not even in goal. The Russian international was signed a year ago from Krasnodar by Luis Camposexcellent talent detector, for 20 million euros. Doubts about the renewal of Donnarumma They were the order of the day and the PSG sports advisor paid a significant amount for a promising goalkeeper, although unknown to the world of football.
The explosion of Italian in the Champions It ruined his chances of being a starter. In his first season in Paris, 2024/2025, there were two attempts to support him in the eleven, since Luis Enrique decided to line him up in a match against Lens (November 2, 2024) and also gave him the reins of goal against Bayern in the Champions League (November 26, 2024). However, an error in that match, in the only goal of the Bavarians, signed by Kim, returned Donnarumma to ownership and of Safonwhich was key in the French Cup in a tie in December against the Lenssaving two penalties, was relegated to the background.
His numbers, however, contrasted with those of a substitute goalkeeper without opportunities. In his first season with PSG, Safonov He played 17 matches in all competitions, 10 in the Ligue 1including the final of the French Cupwon against Reims in May. The stagnation of the renewal of Donnarumma It was a golden opportunity for Krasnodaralthough Luis Enrique He decided to bet on a young goalkeeper to replace him: Chevalier.
The Parisian team paid 40 million euros for the goalkeeper of the Lille and sold one of the architects of the first Champions League in its history. Donnarumma It didn’t fit the style of play Luis Enriquewho opted for a goalkeeper with good footwork and who had been amazing in his last season. “I preferred a goalkeeper with a different profile, the decision is mine,” declared the Spanish coach to justify the decision to rule out the current player from the Manchester City.
Chevalier The season did not start on the right foot. Although it is true that, as Safonovwas decisive in the penalty shootout of the Super Cup of Europa in front of Tottenhamthe pressure and some errors in concentration provoked criticism from the French press. A tough entrance by Lamine Camará in the Monaco-PSG on September 29th triggered the irruption of of Safonstarter against Rennes (5-0), against Athletic in the Champions (0-0) and in the final of the Intercontinntal in front of Flemish in which he repelled four maximum penalties in the penalty shootout.
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Luis Enrique has reiterated since he landed in Paris that it does not have starters even in the goal and that every minute its players play is deserved. It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which of Safon return to the bench, at least in the short term, in important events. Chevalierfor which they paid 40 million euros, 55 with bonuses, must now once again earn the trust of the coach from Gijón. A competition held in Parisespecially after the doubts that the Frenchman had raised during the initial stretch of the season.
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