Matvey Safonov, the 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, spoke to PSG TV ahead of the European Super Cup match against Aston Villa this Wednesday at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg (kick-off at 9 PM, CET). It was an opportunity to discuss what makes coach Luis Enrique special, the opponent for this trophy, and his determination to win titles in Paris.
Safonov: “We tried things that hadn’t been done before”
Luis Enrique has just won two consecutive titles. What makes this coach so special?
“I’d say he has a very open mind. He is always ready to try new things and adapt. He thinks deeply about football and is constantly looking to evolve the way we play. Last season, we tried things that were completely new—things you might not have seen elsewhere. That’s one of our coach’s great qualities.”
What can you tell us about Aston Villa?
“When a trophy is decided in a single match, it’s always tough. There are no easy wins. We know Aston Villa. They are a very solid team; they won the Europa League last season and finished fourth in the English league. We know it’s going to be a very difficult match.”
Safonov: “Something isn’t right.”
To wrap up, what are your personal goals for this season?
“I realized something last season. We won every possible trophy except the Coupe de France. When I realized we weren’t going to win it, I had a strange feeling. I said to myself: ‘Something isn’t right.’ That was the moment I understood that I wanted to win everything. To fight for every trophy.” “Today, I think it’s part of the Paris Saint-Germain mentality: taking the pitch to win every match and aiming to win everything.”
After their first Champions League triumph, Luis Enrique was quick to point out that his team still needed to improve and explore new approaches to keep winning. Some might view this as a desire for change for change’s sake. Yet, it was evident that certain opponents had adapted their game to the Parisians’ strengths and weaknesses during the 2024-2025 campaign—compounded by physical challenges in a unique season, which presented a new hurdle.
Paris found solutions alongside their coach, who isn’t one to leave things to chance; instead, he constantly pushes his players to improve and ensures the team remains unpredictable. We can expect further changes this season—though, of course, always within the same overarching philosophy.
All of this is driven by the ambition shared across the entire club: the drive to win everything. It is no easy task, but it is what fuels this group—and, evidently, with more enthusiasm than pressure. This is one of the many successes of the project’s renewal under Luis Enrique. The team no longer shows fear of failure or panic during difficult moments. The players are convinced they can succeed together, and they are enjoying their football. PSG is once again aiming for every trophy this season. Nothing is easy, but nothing is impossible.
