At the end of a penalty shootout, Matvey Safonov qualified PSG in a complicated match against Lens in the Coupe de France (1-1, 3-4 tab). Find the editorial’s tops and flops.
Tops
Safonov's glory day
Here it is the reference match for the goalkeeper supposed to compete with Donnarumma. Aligned in the Parisian cages due to the Italian's withdrawal, Matvey Safonov was decisive in offering his team qualification. Although he had few opportunities to shine, he showed seriousness throughout his match with several important interventions (55th, 90+4). It was during the penalty shootout that the Russian goalkeeper recruited this summer for 20 million euros in Krasnodar proved himself. By stopping two penalties he got the better of the Sang et Or shooters and allowed PSG to escape this trap match.
Ramos, king of the trigger
Still on the bench and yet, Gonçalo Ramos was the savior of PSG. For the third time in a row, the Portuguese striker scored when he entered the game. With cold realism, the former Benfica player only needed four short minutes and one opportunity to shake the net. At the best of times, taking advantage of an error by the Lens defense, Ramos propelled a ball into the net to equalize (70th). During the penalty shootout, he showed composure to slip an unstoppable ball into Koffi's small net. This is his fourth goal in his last four matches in all competitions. Future potential holder? Response after the truce.
Flops
Paris not inspired
Reigning winner of this Coupe de France and yet, PSG did not show the face of a team determined to lift the oldest competition for the 16th time. In the tough offensively like Ousmane Dembélé without solution and not reassuring in defense, Luis Enrique's men can thank the sky (crossbar 55th) and the lack of success of the Sangs et Or offering them a qualification that They didn't really deserve it.
Koffi the wet firecracker
Capable of incredible reflex parades (40th) and decisive saves (17th, 87th), Hervé Koffi also (very) scared his defenders. Between approximate ball handling (16th) and completely missed restart (86th), the former LOSC had the opportunity to get everyone to agree in his favorite exercise: penalties. Nicknamed the cat by his partners, he did not stop a single shot on goal. Not helped by the impressive composure of the Parisians (Vitinha, Ramos), he however never took the psychological advantage over the less good shooters unlike his evening opponent Safonov…
Lensois regrets
They did not know how to use their enthusiastic audience in Bollaert. In difficulty in the first period, the Sang et Or showed a completely different face upon returning from the locker room. Impeccable on the counter, Fulgini had several opportunities to punish the Parisians. A lack of finesse in the last gesture repeatedly left PSG in the game (53rd, 61st). Errors which cost a qualification for RC Lens on arrival.
Danso, the costly mistake
Speaking of mistakes, this one hurts them a lot. Author of a controlled match as usual, Kevin Danso made a mistake. His club was leading, PSG seemed stunned and yet, on a harmless through ball, the Austrian central defender did not control his sliding tackle. His intervention with his back to the game drove the ball into the feet of Gonçalo Ramos, unforgivable when we know the Portuguese's finish (70th).
The unfortunate Nzola and Diouf
We often have to point the finger at those who missed their penalty. The first Mbala Nzola had a very good match, inexhaustible and in all the good shots, he even successfully scored his team's first goal (66th). However, against Safonov, the Angolan striker focused his penalty too much. The second was present in the physical duels but missed the essential. First his control (82nd) in what presented itself as a face-to-face with Safonov then his shot on goal.
