Matvey Safonov started Tuesday evening in the goals of PSG for the shock in the face of Bayern Munich in Champions League. A surprising decision by Luis Enrique which is seen as a real slap in the face for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PSG: The choice of Matvey Safonov against Bayern shocks observers
Luis Enrique's decision to start Matvey Safonov at the expense of Gianluigi Donnarumma against Bayern Munich in the Champions League sparked strong reactions. If the Spanish coach justified his choice by a desire to rotate and adapt his team to the opponent, the consultants of Canal+ are more skeptical.
Samir Nasri notably expressed his doubts about Matvey Safonov: “He doesn't give me any more guarantees than that, Safonov. If we change him to the kicking game, I find his kicking game as mediocre as that of Donnarumma. Afterwards, on his line, Donnarumma I always found him good and decisive. See Luis Enrique’s explanations. If it’s simply for the kicking game, I put the third goalkeeper who is well above the other two.”
David Ginola, former PSG player, was even more direct on this daring choice by Luis Enrique: “It feels like a punishment. When we play against Bayern Munich and we are Donnarumma and we have Neuer in front of us, we want to be facing the best. When you're facing a goalkeeper of that rank, when you're Donnarumma, you say to yourself: “The coach puts me on the bench, he makes Safonov play.” For me, it’s a slap in the face for Donnarumma”he confided.
The choice of Luis Enrique therefore questions his true intentions. Is it a simple rotation or a questioning of the established hierarchy? The Russian's failed exit on the Germans' opener also does not help him in the face of the doubts of certain observers.
