When the big evenings of the Champions League come, the choice of men is never trivial. As close as he is to his players, Luis Enrique never shows emotion when putting together his team. Without a second thought, he launches the best, the most reliable, those he hopes will be the most decisive. We didn’t expect to see him relaunch Matvey Safonov so quickly but, all things considered, it’s not really a surprise as this option responds to a profound logic.
Time will tell if this return to the stage corresponds to a dismissal for Lucas Chevalier. But it seems like it. The former Lille player conceded 28 goals in his 26 matches with Paris. It broadcasts the image of a guardian who does not control his environment. Willful but rarely decisive and, above all, capable of errors of judgment which are costly.
From his eventful baptism against Tottenham in the Supercup to his huge mistake during the clasico in Marseille (0-1), including some nice gaps like in Strasbourg or against Sporting Portugal, the start of his Parisian adventure is “complicated” to say the least, to use the term he himself chose.
Safonov had to be patient
While Luis Enrique did everything to give him confidence during the first five months of competition, a single match was enough to reignite the debate and weaken the status of the international goalkeeper. The Intercontinental Cup, played on December 17 in Doha against Flamengo, dedicated a hero who was not planned in the casting. By pushing back during the penalty shootout by repelling four attempts from the Brazilians, Safonov saw his popularity skyrocket, and not only with the supporters.
After this match, most of his teammates paid him a vibrant tribute, without realizing that their words damaged Chevalier’s image. “He was ready, he was waiting for this moment and he knew how to show the quality he had,” said Warren Zaire-Emery. He is a boy who has integrated very well into the team. It’s players like that that we need. »
Without the broken wrist contracted during the Intercontinental Cup, Safonov would undoubtedly have continued in 2026. He had to be patient, as he has been since his arrival in Paris in 2024.
He can’t do anything about the English goal
Fortunately for him, Chevalier did not take advantage of January to chase away doubts. Far from it. Facing Newcastle, the athletic Russian (1.92 m) knew he was expected and watched. He didn’t tremble, even if he wasn’t imperial. We had to wait until the 86th minute to see him make a worthy save on a Barnes strike. After a quiet first period, where he showed diligence, he found himself nailed by a powerful header from Joseph Willock. The English’s first shot on target was unstoppable.
Like PSG, the goalkeeper went through a frustrating match, during which he let a shot from Willock pass between his legs, fortunately flagged offside. He will thrill the Park with an astonishing intervention, on a powerful cross (76th).
Overall, its presence and tranquility leave a reassuring impression. His connection with his central defenders is obvious but will have to be confirmed with the accumulation of appearances. There is no reason why Luis Enrique should not keep him in Strasbourg this Sunday, then for the clasico against OM on February 8. Because from now on, everything will be considered based on the roadblocks. Fate may be turning in the Russian’s favor.
