The reason for Matvey Safonov’s start ahead of Lucas Chevalier in the Intercontinental Cup is unclear. Whilst, as per L’Équipe, the club have evoked a fitness issue for the latter, following Lamine Camara’s challenge during the defeat against AS Monaco at the end of November, RMC Sport have evoked a sporting decision. 

Chevalier has not overly convinced since joining PSG from Lille OSC over the summer, giving hope to Safonov. The Russian arrived at the club in bullish spirit, looking to displace Gianluigi Donnarumma, which he never managed to do.

However, he stated his claim to be the No.1 on Wednesday night as he saved four consecutive penalties in a shoot-out as PSG beat Flamengo to win the Intercontinental Cup in Doha, Qatar (1-1, 2-1 on penalties).

Post-match, Luis Enrique shied away from discussing the goalkeeper situation at the club. “Do you really think that it’s the time to talk about that? Really? It is the moment to celebrate the trophy and to congratulate everyone, those who played, those who didn’t,” said the Spaniard.

However, Safonov’s performance in Qatar, coupled with Chevalier’s unconvincing displays between the sticks, means that Luis Enrique can’t shy away from the topic forever, even if, in PSG’s final game of 2025, it may be the third-choice goalkeeper, Renato Marin, who gets the nod in the Coupe de France.