The decision to field Matvey Safonov as goalkeeper instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma has drawn criticism for Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique. The Russian backup goalkeeper made a costly mistake during Bayern Munich's only goal on Tuesday evening.
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The decision by Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique to start Matvey Safonov instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma in the high-stakes Champions League clash against Bayern Munich has sparked widespread criticism.
The choice backfired spectacularly during a crucial moment in the match, as Safonov mishandled a corner kick, allowing Bayern’s Min-Jae Kim to score the only goal of the evening. The mistake has not only raised questions about the coach’s judgment but has also intensified scrutiny over the team’s goalkeeper dynamics.
Safonov’s costly error occurred when he misjudged a corner kick from Joshua Kimmich, opting to extend both fists toward the ball in an attempt to punch it clear. Instead, the ball ricocheted off Kim’s head and into the net, leaving PSG chasing the game. French sports daily L’Équipe was unforgiving in its assessment, assigning Safonov a lowly score of 3 out of 10. "The decision to start Safonov in Munich on Tuesday will inevitably leave its mark and fuel discussions for several days," the publication noted. Despite the backlash, the article also pointed out that Luis Enrique appears resolute in defending his choice: "Luis Enrique doesn’t care. The Spaniard stands by his decision."
The controversy has ignited fierce debate among football pundits and fans alike, with many questioning the rationale behind sidelining a proven goalkeeper like Gianluigi Donnarumma in favor of Safonov, a relatively inexperienced player at this level. RMC Sport weighed in with sharp criticism, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of the decision. "The problem isn’t the blunder, but why embarrass yourself in the goalkeeper competition?" the outlet wrote. "Now he’s lost Donnarumma. It’s over Luis Enrique will no longer see Donnarumma the same way. But why did you have to do it? It’s not as if you put in Sepp Maier or Lev Yashin."
Safonov, who joined PSG during the summer transfer window for 20 million euros from Russian club Krasnodar, was brought in to add depth to the goalkeeper position. The 25-year-old, a 13-time Russian international, had made five appearances for PSG prior to the Bayern match, largely in domestic competitions or less critical fixtures. While he has shown promise and made a handful of important saves, his performance on Tuesday underlined the risks of deploying him in a high-pressure situation against one of Europe’s top clubs.
Le Parisien also expressed doubts about the decision to start Safonov in such a pivotal match. "We can, of course, raise concerns about the choice to put him in PSG’s goal. The Russian goalkeeper delivered a respectable performance with some crucial saves but put his team under pressure with a major mistake," the publication stated. While acknowledging Safonov’s efforts, the paper emphasized that such an error overshadowed any positives he contributed during the game.
Ahead of the match, Luis Enrique attempted to justify his decision in a pre-match interview with Canal Plus, saying, "I make my choices based on what I see on the pitch and what’s best for the team." However, this explanation did little to assuage critics, particularly after the match ended in a loss that further complicated PSG’s standing in the Champions League group stage. With Bayern taking all three points, PSG’s hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds now hinge on winning their remaining fixtures.
After the match, Luis Enrique was quick to accept responsibility for the outcome. In the post-match press conference, he stated, "All my decisions are my responsibility. I am the only one to blame. I am responsible and accept all criticism. I believed Safonov was the best option to help us handle Bayern’s pressure and create numerical advantages." While his words may reflect accountability, they have done little to quell the uproar among fans and media.
The situation also raises questions about the dynamics between Luis Enrique and Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper, considered one of the world’s best, now finds himself in a precarious position within the squad. Some analysts believe that this incident could irreparably damage his relationship with the coach. Others, however, speculate that Enrique’s willingness to rotate goalkeepers is part of a broader strategy to instill competition within the squad a tactic that, in this instance, seems to have backfired.
For PSG, the repercussions of this decision could extend beyond this match. With a demanding schedule ahead, the team will need to regroup quickly and find a way to restore confidence within the squad. As for Safonov, this error will likely serve as a defining moment in his PSG career, one that he will need to bounce back from to regain trust and prove his worth on such a competitive stage.
The fallout from Tuesday’s loss has reignited debates about Luis Enrique’s overall strategy and decision-making as PSG’s head coach. Known for his bold and sometimes unconventional choices, the Spanish manager now faces mounting pressure to deliver results in both domestic and European competitions. Whether this gamble with Safonov pays off in the long run remains to be seen, but for now, the decision has only added to PSG’s list of challenges this season.
