French sports publication L'Équipe has provided a detailed assessment of Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov's performance in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but PSG advanced to the final with a 6-5 aggregate victory.
The analysis focused on Safonov's contributions during the crucial fixture. The Russian international recorded five saves throughout the match, demonstrating his shot-stopping abilities when called upon. His performance between the posts played a significant role in helping PSG maintain their aggregate advantage.
However, the evaluation also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly regarding Safonov's distribution. The goalkeeper completed only 21% of his passes (7 out of 33 attempts) and managed just six accurate long balls from 32 attempts, translating to a 19% success rate. L'Équipe noted a "significant error rate" in his footwork, suggesting he frequently opted for long passes that didn't always find their intended targets.
Despite the statistical challenges with his passing, the French outlet acknowledged Safonov's reliability in critical moments. Two particular saves stood out in their analysis: a crucial stop against Jamal Musiala in the 44th minute and another important intervention against Brahim Díaz in the 69th minute. These moments demonstrated the goalkeeper's ability to perform under pressure when his team needed him most.
The match also saw Safonov face a late challenge from Harry Kane, who managed to beat the goalkeeper in the 94th minute. This goal leveled the match at 1-1 but wasn't enough to overturn PSG's first-leg advantage.
PSG's progression to the Champions League final marks a significant achievement for the club, with Safonov playing a key role in their defensive efforts across both legs against the German champions. The goalkeeper's performance, while showing room for growth in distribution, ultimately contributed to the team's successful advancement in Europe's premier club competition.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.