Quiet leader in Ligue 1, PSG played with Matvey Safonov as starting goalkeeper on Friday against Toulouse (3-0). A choice that is not understood by everyone.
The last international break of 2024 having passed, the Ligue 1 teams returned to the championship this weekend. Friday evening, Paris Saint-Germain was on deck to face Toulouse, as part of the twelfth day, and Luis Enrique's men won with a rather flattering score of 3-0. For this match, the Parisian coach chose to start Matvey Safonov instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Not a first this season, but a choice which is not validated by everyone.
Questioned on the subject in the Sunday edition of
The TeamChristophe Lollichon gave his expert point of view. And the one who was the goalkeeper coach of Chelsea FC felt that Luis Enrique's method was not his cup of tea. “I hate these situations. I always designated a number one and then we saw if we could give number two some playing time when possible. » However, the observer said he did not understand Donnarumma's mentality.
“I don't think this situation affects Donnarumma who, in my opinion, has the shoulders for it. »
How will Donnarumma handle this?
However, Christophe Lollichon remembered a similar situation experienced a few years earlier by the Italian goalkeeper. It was already at PSG and he was in competition with Keylor Navas.
“Donnarumma has already experienced an identical situation, even perhaps worse (…). And this choice had not borne fruit. » On the other hand, someone who is a consultant on
Canal+ was much more critical of the timing of this new competition. “You can’t do that in the fall.” Because inevitably, you instill in the mind of the starting goalkeeper that he made mistakes. And that necessarily creates mistrust. »
It remains to be seen how “Gigio” Donnarumma will react in the weeks to come. Will the atmosphere within the locker room also end up being impacted by this competition initiated in the middle of the season by Luis Enrique?
