Six goals from nine shots on target: Safonov under pressure after PSG's defeat to Monaco

PSG suffered their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season on Friday night, losing at home to Monaco (1-2). After two draws against Rennes (2-2) and Lille (2-2), the Paris club have just two points from three matches, despite striking statistical dominance: 60 shots to 22 in PSG’s favour across all three games.

The question of efficiency in both penalty areas has now become the central problem for the capital club. But it is goalkeeper Matvey Safonov who is drawing the sharpest criticism. The Russian, unexpectedly promoted to first-choice keeper last season, has conceded six goals from nine shots on target since the start of the campaign. Against Monaco, both goals came from their first two shots on target.

Vincent Duluc, in his match report for L’Équipe, points to a weakness that has become predictable: “It’s becoming a problem this season: since everyone knows the Russian keeps his hands down, in a closed angle, everyone puts the ball higher.” The journalist illustrates his point with the evening’s decisive goal: Idumbo’s strike (72nd minute) hit Safonov’s chest before going in, handing victory to Monaco. Monaco’s equaliser, scored by Nazinho in the 58th minute from an action involving both fullbacks, had already followed the same pattern.

Luis Enrique nonetheless defended his goalkeeper at his press conference. “There’s no real reason to worry. Because it’s this particular moment where the opponent shoots and boom. Today, how many shots did Monaco take? Two. How many goals did they score? Two. That’s not usual. We’ll see throughout the season that it will reach a point of balance,” said the Spanish coach. Public support that is clear, but which does not dispel questions about the consistency of the Paris goalkeeper as opponents appear to have identified his weak points.