Seen and read about PSG in the French press this Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The duel between Gianluigi Donnarumma and Matvey Safonov for the goalkeeper position, still a doubt in the position of false number 9, Parisian ineffectiveness in the Champions League …
In today's edition, The Team
focuses on the goalkeeping hierarchy in the
PSG. The tenure of Matvey
Safonov this Saturday against RC Lens (1-0) initiates a debate around the current level of goalkeepers at the Rouge & Bleu. For several weeks, Luis Enrique
conducts a reflection on the status of Gianluigi Donnarummaespecially after his failed performance against
Arsenal (2-0). Thus, a doubt remains over the goalkeeper who will keep the goals this Wednesday against l'Atlético de Madrid. And one subject is at the heart of the debate, the play at the foot of the two goalkeepers. After the victory against the Sang & Or this weekend, the Spanish technician highlighted the Russian's kicking game under pressure: “I knew the difficulty we were going to encounter: very high pressure, one-on-one, with the goalkeeper as the only free player. Today, Safonov
allowed us numerical superiority and I found it good. » Even if he still lacks precision in his kicking game, the former Krasnodar is more responsive in his decision-making and responds more in this area to the expectations of his coach. He touches the ball more than his Italian competitor (37.8 per match against 33.4), delivers more passes (29.8 against 25.2) and does not hesitate to extend (14% of passes attempted in the camp opponent). « Luis Enrique has not succeeded in masking a form of irritation in recent weeks in the face of the regular inability to
Donnarumma to respond to its instructions on this aspect. »
The recruitment of Borja Alvarez in July 2023 responded to the implementation of a game project very different from the Italian school. To begin with, Gianluigi Donnarumma had not hidden his astonishment at this drastic change in method, which now sticks more closely to Matvey Safonov. On the other hand, on the line, the 2021 European champion has no equivalent in the world. Last season, he was the second goalkeeper in the five major European leagues to prevent the most goals for his team (12.6 compared to 13.8 for Gregor Kobel of
Borussia Dortmund). In this area, it is difficult to judge Matvey Safonov in his four matches played so far under the Parisian colors.
“The save percentage this season – 77.8% compared to 71% for Donnarumma – is an imperfect indicator. This season, the contribution of the goalkeepers has been neutral. In reading depth, Safonovthrough his mobility, showed some skills. »
Finally, the air sector has highlighted the deficiencies of
Gianluigi Donnarumma. He is particularly unable to handle crosses coming from his right side. “The Parisian staff, to limit set-piece situations, decided a few weeks ago to use a 'preventative' method by using offside. Insufficient to completely protect the Parisian goal »explain THE. But in this sector of play, Matvey Safonov does not give the impression of providing obvious immediate added value. Concerning
Arnau Tenasthe Parisian staff intends to keep him under pressure this season. Solicited this summer for loan offers, the Spaniard is very technically gifted and has superior footwork to his two other friends. He could notably have playing time in the cup during this 2024-2025 financial year.
The sports daily also takes stock of the possible starting lineup for the PSG on the eve of the match against
l'Atlético de Madrid in Champions League. Beyond the goalkeeper position, there are few uncertainties. It remains to be seen who will be favored for the position of false number 9 between Marco Asensio et Lee Kang-In. The South Korean comes out of two very ordinary performances against
Arsenal (2-0) and the PSV Eindhoven
(1-1). Note that Presnel Kimpembe continues the group sessions. For his part, Désiré Doué
“needs to deal with some residual ankle pain” who forced him to leave the Bleuets gathering last October. Training is scheduled for this Tuesday from 11 a.m.
- The probable XI of PSG (The Team) : Donnarumma (or Safonov) – Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Pacho, N.Mendes – Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, J.Neves – Dembélé, Asensio (or Lee), Barcola
Also read: Eco – PSG, a club serving its territory
For his part, The Parisian focuses on the ineffectiveness of
PSG in Champions League. However, the Parisian club has shown itself to be uncompromising in the French championship with 29 goals since the start of the season in Ligue 1an average of 2.9 goals per match. But other figures also show the Parisian shortcomings in L1like the match against
RC Lens. Despite 18 shots, 8 on target and an expected goals index (xG) of 2.65, the capital club only scored one goal against the Sang & Or. Champions Leaguethis problem is felt even more. With only 2 goals scored in three matches, including one csc (i.e. an average of 0.7 goals per match which places him 28th in the competition in this area), and an xG index of 5, the
PSG displays its worst record on the European scene under the era QSI. New proof that playing without a real trained striker can complicate the task. The departure of
Kylian Mbappé put more pressure on the other players in the squad in the finish. If Bradley
Barcola managed to raise his level with 8 goals and 2 assists in Ligue 1he did not register any in Champions League this season.
“For the rest of the troop, a snap of the fingers will not be enough to turn them into triggers overnight even if Ousmane Dembéléas imprecise as he is, works more in front of goal in training. With 5 goals and 5 assists on the domestic scene, he is ahead of his past total (3 and 9). »
On the other hand, compared to last season, the
PSG is behind the projections of its midfielders, which had allowed Vitinha et Warren Zaire-Emery to stand out when taking office Luis Enrique. After ten days of
Ligue 1the four midfielders regularly aligned (adding João Neves et Fabian
Ruiz) only scored one goal each. “A sign that they are not supporting the actions enough or that they are slow to regain their level, or even that they are questioning their ability to sustainably frequent high altitudes” like Fabian Ruizefficient with
Spain but too irregular in the club. With the many missed opportunities, the PSG finds himself in difficulty Champions League but comfortable Ligue 1. However, few teams survive in the premier competition with such significant inefficiency. The return of Gonçalo Ramos will it be able to partially answer this problem? “With a different status – he will no longer be in the shadow of Kylian Mbappé – the Portuguese can pick up the stakes in an always bubbling offensive game. It remains to be seen whether he will mark the occasions that Paris currently missing or those that others are already creating, cutting back, for example, on the total of a
Bradley Barcola »concludes the Ile-de-France daily.
- The probable XI of PSG (The Parisian) : Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Pacho, N.Mendes – Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, J.Neves – Dembélé, Asensio, Barcola.
