Matvey Safonov, the 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, spoke to CBS Sports after the 3-2 victory against AS Monaco on Tuesday at the Stade Louis II in the first leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoffs (second leg on February 25).
Safonov: “I like that my team showed its character.”
Satisfied despite the difficult start?
Monaco showed us very quickly what a match, the Champions League, is all about. No one will give us anything for free, we know that. I like that my team showed its character. We’ve done half the job.
Safonov: “If the team wants trophies, we need to keep going like this.”
Were there doubts during the match?
If the team wants trophies, we need to keep going like this, even with the odds against us. This shouldn’t change our objective; we have to win, and we’ve shown it’s possible.
Will the goal be to secure the win quickly in the return leg?
Of course, but it will be difficult. It’s the Champions League; anything is possible, and we have to be ready.
