Matvey Safonov (25) arrived at Paris Saint-Germain from Krasnodar with plenty of confidence this summer. “I don’t see myself as a No.2,” said the Russian goalkeeper upon his arrival.
He added, “I don’t want to be a substitute. If they make me a No.2, things won’t be easy for the No.1 […] I have never lost a competition. I have always been the No.1 goalkeeper […] Maybe they don’t have the intention of making me No.1 straight away, but I believe I will [become that].”
That promise to not make things easy for the No.1 came amid reports that the goalkeeping hierarchy at PSG had been reset. Gianluigi Donnarumma (25), previously the uncontested No.1, would have to reassert his credentials in pre-season to retain his standing as first-choice.
Donnarumma struggles on PSG return
The new season swung around and Donnarumma was in goal. Prior to Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Arsenal, Safonov had played PSG’s last three matches in all competitions, with his Italian counterpart out through injury.
However, Donnarumma’s return was not a convincing one. He was at fault for both of Arsenal’s goals as Les Parisiens succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Luis Enrique did not single out his goalkeeper for criticism, emphasising instead collective shortcomings.
“Honestly, I don’t think you can place responsibility for a defeat on an individual. I am responsible for this defeat. Donnarumma was like everyone, at a level that I consider to be the minimum,” said the PSG manager.
However, for Donnarumma, the spectre of Safonov looms. Should Safonov get the nod in the near future, it won’t be because of the assurances he provided in his stint in goal last month, but rather because of Donnarumma’s own goal of a performance against Arsenal, which is in fitting with a familiar trend.
Last season, the Italy No.1 failed to provide assurances in European competition, putting in a string of error-strewn performances, which at times seeped into his domestic form. This is what led PSG into the market for a goalkeeper and is the reason that the No.1 jersey was there for the taking this summer.
Donnarumma retains the No.1 jersey for now, but the question is whether he can provide his defenders and his manager, Luis Enrique, the assurances to allow him keep it long term.
