Safonov Reveals Psychological Warfare
PSG's Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov detailed the dramatic conclusion of the Champions League final against Arsenal, unveiling layers of psychological gamesmanship during the penalty shootout.
PSG's Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov detailed the dramatic conclusion of the Champions League final against Arsenal, unveiling layers of psychological gamesmanship during the penalty shootout.
Matvey Safonov, the 27-year-old Russian goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain, has spoken about one of the most tense penalty shootouts in recent Champions League history. In an interview with club media, details of which were reported by Le Figaro, Safonov laid bare the psychological battle that unfolded during the final against Arsenal in Budapest at the end of May 2026.
Although he began the season as a backup, first to Gianluigi Donnarumma and then to Lucas Chevalier, Safonov established himself as the first choice between the posts for the Parisian club. It was he who was the key figure in winning the European title, although he admits he did not save a single kick in the penalty shootout lottery.
Safonov specifically analyzed his approach to Arsenal's Eberechi Eze. "If you look at Eze's penalties, he always shoots the same way. Of course, I know that. But he also knows that I know," Safonov told club media. He added that this was just the beginning of a complex mental game: "I didn't make any saves during that shootout. But I think I was a problem for them. That's the start of psychological warfare-he knows I know, he knows, I know..."
The Russian international with 18 caps believes his presence and preparation forced Arsenal's players to alter their usual habits. He cited English midfielder Declan Rice as an example: "I think they prepared a lot for me because they changed their shooting style. For instance, Rice shot to my left side, but he had never done that before."
Although he did not save Rice's attempt, the decisive moment came when former Lille defender Gabriel missed the last penalty for the London club. Safonov described the explosion of emotions after the ball went wide of the goal.
"It was very difficult because I had a lot of emotions inside me. I told myself I had to prepare as if it were a normal match to avoid getting too stressed. That was my approach. And after Arsenal's last penalty, it all came out. I couldn't control my emotions. I realized what we had achieved, at least to some extent," said the former Krasnodar goalkeeper.
Safonov and his PSG teammates have little time to rest. On Wednesday, they face a new challenge: the UEFA Super Cup match against Aston Villa, which will be played in Austria.
