In a fascinating tactical revelation, French publication Le Parisien has shed light on a peculiar strategy employed by Paris Saint-Germain during their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich. The match, which ended 1-1, saw PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov repeatedly direct his clearances toward the right flank of Bayern's attack, with the ball frequently going out of play.
According to the report, this was no accident. In approximately ten instances, the Russian shot-stopper consistently aimed his distributions toward that specific side of the pitch. Five of these clearances immediately went out of bounds—a number too high to be coincidental at this elite level of competition. Le Parisien's sources confirm that Safonov was indeed deliberately kicking the ball out of play as part of a pre-planned tactical approach.
The reasoning behind this unconventional strategy was to neutralize the threat posed by Bayern's attacking midfielder Michael Olise. In the first leg at Parc des Princes, Olise had delivered a spectacular performance, repeatedly causing problems for PSG left-back Nuno Mendes in numerous one-on-one duels. The French midfielder's ability to create chances and threaten the defense was a major concern for the Parisian side heading into the return fixture.
PSG manager Luis Enrique devised a specific game plan to counter this threat. The Spanish coach deliberately chose to cede possession to Bayern at certain moments, similar to how PSG often handles situations after initial set-piece plays. The objective was clear: overload Bayern's right flank—the exact zone where Olise operates—to limit his influence on the game.
The tactical gamble paid off handsomely. Unlike the first encounter, Bayern's key playmaker found himself with significantly less space and freedom. Olise was frequently isolated and confined to tight areas, unable to replicate his dominant display from the opening match. The deliberate strategy of forcing play toward his side of the pitch effectively crowded him out of the game.
This victory marked a significant achievement for PSG, who advanced to the Champions League final after overcoming Bayern across the two-legged tie. The Parisians will now face Arsenal in the final, where they will hope to lift the trophy for the first time in the club's history.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.