Mathematics genius as a child, chess enthusiast, star also in basketball and taekwondo before football took over: discovering the Russian hero of PSG
Safonov’s calculations worked. PSG’s Russian goalkeeper is the hero of the Intercontinental Cup final won against Flamengo. After the 1-1 draw in regulation time, the match was decided on penalties: the 1999 class intercepted four out of five shots from the spot to give the French the trophy. The former Krasnodar player was Donnarumma’s deputy and is now second in Luis Enrique’s hierarchy behind Chevalier. The Parisian club signed him in the summer of 2024 for 20 million euros. He grew up in the youth ranks of the Russian team without ever changing shirts. From the age of 12 he took the captain’s armband, on the pitch he was always a leader. Aram Fundukyan, vice president of the club, said he had warned Safonov that he would be the twelfth at PSG: “I have never been number two – he replied -. I will fight to take my place”. But now his time has come.
Mathematics and chess
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Kvaratskhelia broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, Jorginho equalized from the penalty spot in the second half. The goalkeeper took revenge during the decisive penalties by neutralizing the attempts of Saul, Pedro, Pereira and Araujo. All thanks to the strategy. Safonov collects board games and is a great chess enthusiast: he has participated in numerous tournaments in his country. At school, however, he was very good at mathematics. His parents had enrolled him in an algebra club. He handled numbers and solved logic problems with such ease that teachers suspected he was cheating. In addition to football, he has always dedicated himself to studying. He has a master’s degree in psychology. Those who know him are sure: he doesn’t like watching matches, he prefers cartoons on TV.
The mistake against Bayern
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This season Safonov has made five appearances in the French Cup and two in the league. He is trying to regain Luis Enrique’s trust after last year’s disappointing performance in the Champions League against Bayern Munich. The Spanish coach had explained the choice to focus on the Russian goalkeeper, leaving Donnarumma on the bench: “I thought he was better at managing the Germans’ pressing and generating a numerical superiority”. Instead, his mistake transformed Kimmich’s corner into an assist for Kim. The class of ’99 had even received a three in the report card from all the French newspapers, raising more than a few doubts in his ability to set up with his feet. Always a prerogative in Luis Enrique’s philosophy.
Goalkeeper by chance
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And yet, Safonov did not want to become a goalkeeper. As a child he excelled in swimming, taekwondo and even basketball. He became interested in football when Krasnodar scouts noticed him during a match at school. He made 175 appearances for the Russian club before moving to Europe. He made his national team debut in 2021, but was unable to secure a starting place. In the last friendly match against Peru he gave his opponents a draw, so coach Karpin left him on the bench in the next match against Chile. A few months ago, however, there was talk of tensions in the PSG dressing room with the Ukrainian defender Zabarnyi, the Parisians’ new signing. It seems that the defender, taken from Bournemouth for 66 million, had even asked for the transfer of Safonov. Then everything went back. Against Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final, the Russian goalkeeper finally took center stage. The strategy was the right one.
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