Lyon, France — In a rare moment of praise following a defeat, French sports media awarded goalkeeper Matvey Safonov the highest possible rating for his performance in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 loss to Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday night at the Groupama Stadium. Despite the result, Safonov’s commanding presence between the posts earned widespread acclaim from L’Équipe, Le Parisien and RMC Sport, with all three outlets granting him a rare 8/10 or higher in their post-match player ratings.
The Russian international, who joined PSG in the summer transfer window from Krasnodar for a reported fee of €20 million, was called upon to make several critical saves in the first half as Lyon pressed aggressively for an early lead. His reflexes denied Alexandre Lacazette from close range in the 18th minute, and he palmed away a powerful header from Corentin Tolisso just before the break, preserving a 0-0 halftime scoreline that frustrated the home crowd.
“He was our best player tonight,” said PSG head coach Luis Enrique in his post-match press conference. “Matvey made saves that kept us in the game when we were under real pressure. His positioning, his communication, his bravery — it was top-level goalkeeping. We conceded goals, but without him, this could have been 4-0 or worse.”
The first Lyon goal came in the 53rd minute when Rayan Cherki cut inside from the left and fired a low shot past Safonov’s near post. The second arrived 12 minutes later, a deflected effort from Malo Gusto that looped over the goalkeeper after a chaotic scramble in the box. Despite the two goals conceded, Opta data confirmed Safonov made seven saves — the highest total by any PSG goalkeeper in a Ligue 1 match this season — including three classified as “high-difficulty” by the league’s analytics partner.
“Seven saves in a Ligue 1 game is exceptional,” noted L’Équipe’s match analyst. “Only two goalkeepers have recorded more in a single match this season: Gianluigi Donnarumma for Napoli and Gregor Kobel for Dortmund. For Safonov to achieve this in only his fifth start for PSG speaks volumes about his adaptation.”
The performance drew particular attention given the context of PSG’s ongoing goalkeeping debate. Safonov’s arrival had sparked discussion about whether he would immediately displace the experienced Donnarumma, who remains the club’s designated first-choice keeper under Enrique’s rotation policy. However, Sunday’s showing has intensified calls from French pundits for Safonov to receive more regular opportunities, especially as PSG navigate a congested fixture list that includes Champions League group stage matches and an upcoming Coupe de France tie.
“Donnarumma is still the name on the team sheet for large games,” admitted Le Parisien’s football correspondent. “But after what we saw in Lyon, it’s becoming harder to justify leaving Safonov on the bench. He’s not just stopping shots — he’s organizing the defense, claiming crosses with authority, and distributing intelligently. He looks like a goalkeeper who belongs at this level.”
Safonov, 25, has now started three of PSG’s last five Ligue 1 matches, keeping one clean sheet and conceding just four goals in that span. His save percentage of 78% in league play ranks fifth among goalkeepers with at least five appearances this season, according to FBref. Internationally, he has earned 17 caps for Russia, though his international career has been limited since 2022 due to FIFA’s suspension of Russian national teams from global competitions.
The Lyon match similarly marked Safonov’s first appearance against a top-three Ligue 1 side since joining PSG. Lyon, currently fourth in the table, entered the match unbeaten in their last six home games and posed a significant test for the visitors’ backline. PSG managed only 42% possession and were outshot 14-8, yet remained within a goal until the final ten minutes thanks largely to Safonov’s heroics.
“When you’re under siege like we were in the first half, you require a goalkeeper who can make the difference,” Enrique added. “Matvey did that. He gave us a chance to win, and we didn’t take it. That’s on the team, not on him.”
PSG’s next fixture is a Champions League group stage match against Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening. Safonov is expected to retain his place in goal for that encounter, with Enrique likely to rotate the squad ahead of a demanding December schedule that includes matches against Monaco, Marseille, and RB Leipzig.
For now, the goalkeeper’s performance in Lyon has shifted the conversation in French football circles. No longer viewed merely as a promising acquisition, Safonov is increasingly seen as a potential long-term solution between the posts for one of Europe’s most ambitious clubs.
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