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Safonov struggles against Monaco, Chevalier eyes Champions League chance

Six goals conceded on nine shots on target since the start of the season: Matvey Safonov's disappointing performances reignite questions about Lucas Chevalier's promotion, absent from the pitch since January.

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Safonov struggles against Monaco, Chevalier eyes Champions League chance
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Matvey Safonov’s errors during the PSG-Monaco match (Matchday 3 of Ligue 1) have reignited the debate over the Paris goalkeeper hierarchy, and could offer Lucas Chevalier his first official appearance in eight months.

The Russian goalkeeper came under particular scrutiny for Monaco’s second goal. “The PSG goalkeeper must defend his near post,” wrote Vincent Duluc in L’Équipe. Pierre Ménès was even harsher: “When you’re the goalkeeper of PSG, two-time winner of the Ligue des Champions, it’s forbidden to concede that kind of goal.”

The statistics worsen the picture. Since the start of the 2026-2027 season, Safonov has conceded six goals on nine shots on target, a ratio that weakens his position as number one.

Chevalier, meanwhile, has not played a single official match since January 20, when he featured in a Ligue des Champions league phase match against Sporting. Nearly eight months without action for the former Lille player, a native of Calais.

PSG’s next fixture is set for Wednesday at Parc des Princes, in the Ligue des Champions, against Slovan Bratislava. The precedent is telling: last season, it was precisely in this competition — against Newcastle on January 28 — that Luis Enrique chose to reverse his hierarchy for the first time.

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