Coach Semin called Safonov's game the result of a football player's hard work.

Outstanding performance of the Russian goalkeeper of the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (FC) (PSG) Matvey Safonov's victory in the Intercontinental Cup final is the result of his hard work. Football player and coach Yuri Semin told Izvestia about this on December 18.

"They advised him not to leave, to change the team. And he waited in the wings, not just waiting, but working. And this is a wonderful success, for which we will be happy," Semin shared.

According to the coach, the goalkeeper has a great chance to continue playing in the starting line-up of PSG. He stressed that no Russian footballers had ever won the Intercontinental Cup.

"He showed the highest class and level. And the Russian school, and the same FC Krasnodar, who raised him," said the coach.

Close the gate: how Safonov and Golovin performed in the Champions League

Matvey finally has the opportunity to prove that he is capable of being number one this season.

The meeting, where PSG won in a penalty shootout over Brazilian Flamengo, took place on December 17. Safonov became the first goalkeeper in the history of football to deflect four consecutive penalties in a series at an International Football Federation (FIFA) tournament.

Safonov's first coach, Alexei Chistyakov, told Izvestia on December 18 that the character of his ward had given him advantages since his youth — thanks to him, he always achieved his goals. The coach added that Safonov had been ambitious since childhood, loved to play in goal and showed leadership qualities.

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