PSG goalkeeper Safonov reveals psychological trick that unsettled Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvei Safonov believes he played a significant psychological role in Eberechi Eze’s penalty miss during PSG’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal.

The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes in Budapest, with Kai Havertz and Ousmane Dembele scoring in a 1-1 draw before PSG eventually won the shootout 4-3.

Safonov did not actually save an Arsenal penalty, but both Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert. The Russian goalkeeper has now explained why he believes his unusual approach contributed to Eze hitting the post.

Speaking to Le Parisien, with his comments relayed by RMC Sport, Safonov said he deliberately remained completely motionless while Eze prepared to take Arsenal’s second penalty.

“I reckon I bear some of the responsibility for that,” Safonov said.

“He was watching my position, waiting for me to make my move. I remained completely still. Seeing no clue, he had to improvise his run-up and shot at the very last moment.”

According to Safonov, moving early would have given Eze the information he wanted.

“If I’d taken a step to my left in anticipation, he would have easily opened up his foot to the other side, as that’s his speciality,” he explained.

“By staying rock-solid, I closed off that comfortable option for him. That is precisely the role of a goalkeeper: to throw the attacker off his game.”

Eze eventually struck the post, giving PSG an early advantage in the shootout.

Safonov also revealed the level of preparation involved before the shootout.

“It’s primarily a psychological battle,” he said. “These days, with video analysis, everyone analyses themselves. I spend a lot of time dissecting the habits of attackers.”

The PSG goalkeeper has become known for keeping detailed information about penalty takers, and Arsenal were apparently well aware of his methods.

Safonov believes that created another layer to the contest because Arsenal’s players attempted to deviate from their usual penalty techniques.

“They were prepared to counter me,” Safonov explained.

“They knew I was familiar with their preferred angles, so they deliberately changed their approach at the last minute to surprise me.”

From Football Place’s perspective, Safonov’s explanation provides a fascinating insight into how detailed penalty shootouts have become at elite level.

A goalkeeper no longer necessarily needs to touch the ball to influence a penalty. Positioning, movement and even refusing to move can force the taker into making a decision they had not originally planned.

Whether Safonov deserves direct credit for Eze’s miss is impossible to prove, but the Arsenal attacker clearly did not get the outcome he wanted.

In a Champions League final decided by the smallest margins, that was ultimately enough.

Both clubs now begin another Champions League campaign, with Arsenal facing Napoli while PSG take on Slovan Bratislava. For Arsenal, Safonov’s comments offer another reminder of the tiny tactical and psychological details that separated them from European glory.