A Paris Saint-Germain star collapsed after he was involved in a collision during the warm-up for Friday's match against Lille, with medics called upon to provide assistance
Matyev Safonov receives treatment
Matyev Safonov required treatment(Image: SAMEER AL-DOUMY, AFP via Getty Images)
Matyev Safonov found himself floored by a Paris Saint-Germain coach during the warm-up for Friday's match with Lille, requiring medical assistance.
The goalkeeper was seen diving toward a ball during a clearing exercise prior to kick-off, when his head smashed into a member of PSG's coaching staff.
The 27-year-old lay sprawled out as medical assistants rushed over to treat him, while players and staff halted their warm-up to surround him with concern.
Matvey Safonov
Matvey Safonov suffered a sickening collision in the warm-up
While Lucas Chevalier started preparing for an eleventh-hour switch between the posts, the PSG No. 2 was eventually instructed to step aside, with Safonov permitted to begin following swift treatment.
Safonov completed the entire 90 minutes as PSG were restricted to a 2-2 stalemate at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, in a thoroughly dramatic affair. Hakon Haraldsson broke the deadlock for the hosts after just 21 minutes, with Lille delivering a defensive exhibition to maintain their advantage for most of the contest.
Dilane Bakwa twisted the knife further for PSG with fewer than 10 minutes left on the clock, leaving Les Parisiens facing an uphill battle to salvage anything from the encounter at 2-0 behind.
Matvey Safonov
Safonov has taken over as PSG's No.1
Fortunately, Luis Enrique didn't need to endure the journey back to the French capital with too much embarrassment, as Vitinha pulled a goal back early in added time, before Marquinhos restored parity in the dying moments.
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It represented a concerning display for the reigning Ligue 1 champions, who have now collected just two points from their opening two fixtures of the campaign.
The club also settled for a 2-2 draw against Rennes last weekend in their inaugural match of the 2026/27 season, leaving them in sixth place in the league table as a result.
Matyev Safonov collides with a coach
Matyev Safonov suffered a ruthless collision before the match(Image: Ligue 1)
Next up for Les Bleus is a showdown with AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Friday, September 4. It's been a significant week for the French powerhouses.
PSG discovered their group stage fate for the Champions League, as they aim to defend their European crown for the second time next May, having clinched their first title in 2025 with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan, before successfully defending it with a penalty shootout victory over Arsenal just months ago.
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In this season's group stage of the tournament, Paris Saint-Germain will face off against Barcelona, Roma, Galatasaray and SK Slovan Bratislava on home turf.
Away fixtures against Manchester City, Aston Villa, Villarreal and Como are also on the cards, with the match dates anticipated to fall on Saturday, August 29.