Matvey Safonov delivers great performance as PSG thrash Rennes

Matvey Safonov, who yesterday was standing in for habitual number one Lucas Chevalier between the sticks for PSG, put in an excellent individual performance and made a number of key saves, as PSG thrashed Rennes in a 5-0 demolition at the Parc des Princes last night. It’s not often that a goalkeeper can claim to be a standout performer when his side has won the game 5-0, but yesterday’s display from Safonov was truly impressive, and a stark contrast to the difficulties faced by Chevalier at times this season.

Safonov shines in his first appearance of the season

Perhaps Safonov’s finest moment was a brilliant first half save from Esteban Le Paul’s low drive which seemed destined to nestle in the bottom corner before the Russian, outstretched, managed to turn it round the post. French striker Le Paul was generous in his praise of PSG's number 39 after the game, admitting that the save that denied him a goal was superb.

He wasn’t the only one to be impressed with the Russian’s performance, as fans of PSG on social media were also moved by the second choice keeper’s display, with some calling for him to feature as part of the first team in PSG’s midweek game away in Bilbao. His serenity on the ball was also a standout feature of his game, as he rarely seemed flustered or pressured when in possession.

As for the rest of PSG’s performance, it certainly seemed a much improved performance in comparison to last week’s dismal defeat to Monaco in which the side looked slightly bereft of creativity. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looked back to his absolute best, scoring two goals and looking a threat throughout from the left hand side. Luis Enrique will also be delighted with the identity of the other three goal scorers: Senny Mayulu, Ibrahim Mbaye and Gonçalo Ramos, all of whom had for various reasons struggled in recent weeks.

Mayulu’s goal justified Enrique’s continued faith in him, and the young Frenchman put in an all around excellent performance, also assisting Kvaratskhelia’s second goal. Mbaye’s goal was also a standout individual moment, as the seventeen-year-old guided the ball into the top corner with power and accuracy for what was only his second ever professional goal. Ramos’s late fifth was the icing on the cake for the Parisians.

This all around impressive performance means that PSG are still second in the table, as Lens won once again yesterday to maintain their narrow lead in the table, but will have been a confidence boost for a few of PSG’s attackers, and for their supporters ahead of what looks to be a tricky fixture in the Basque country. Bradley Barcola is another who, despite not managing to score, looked much closer to his very best, combining dangerously and being involved in two of the goals on his return to the starting line up. The good form of so many attackers gives Luis Enrique a selection headache, as does Safonov’s domineering performance. But these problems are those that a coach likes to have, and Enrique will have been glad that his side roared back to form last night.