A friendly clash between French side Paris Saint-Germain and Austrian club Sturm Graz finished tied at two goals apiece. The match saw both sides field new faces in goal, with Matvey Safonov, the Russian stopper who joined PSG, guarding the net for the French team, while Daniil Khudyakov, a Russian keeper, wore the Sturm colors. Remarkably, both goalkeepers were on the pitch for their respective clubs in their competitive debuts for these teams.
Early in the game, Ibrahim Mbaye and Carlos Soler unlocked the score for PSG, while Amadi Camara and Otar Kiteishvili answered for Sturm. The evening offered an entertaining back-and-forth, with chances created at both ends and a display of the emerging chemistry between new signings and teammates looking to establish themselves in the squad structure ahead of the season.
PSG announced Safonov as a new arrival on June 14, making him eligible to represent the club after joining from Krasnodar. The move, however, carried a shadow. Reports indicated that a travel ban on Safonov had been in place since June 6 due to alimony arrears totaling more than 60 million rubles, a development that had complicated his availability during the summer transfer window. The ban reportedly lifted briefly later as circumstances shifted, allowing Safonov to travel for football purposes during a period when he was in Minsk participating in a friendly match between the Russian and Belarusian national teams, a game Russia won decisively. After this temporary relief, Safonov returned to Russia with his club, only for the travel restrictions to be reimposed as circumstances changed once again.
Insider information from within football circles suggested that Safonov managed to depart on a temporary basis after paying a portion of the claimed debt, approximately twenty-two thousand rubles, leading to a temporary lifting of the travel ban. The suspension reportedly reinstated after that initial escape, but by that time he had already left Russia and was continuing with his new club. The evolving situation around the goalkeeper added a layer of narrative to the transfer window that season and drew attention from fans monitoring player movements and regulatory hurdles affecting cross-border appearances.
In the broader discourse surrounding Safonov, there were additional, sensational reports alleging personal disputes involving his former spouse. Such narratives circulated in media and fan forums, though the primary focus remains on his professional status and eligibility to play for his club in competitive fixtures and friendlies. The episode illustrated how off-field matters can intersect with the football calendar, creating a period of heightened scrutiny around a player who had just begun life with PSG and was trying to establish himself as a reliable option in goal. Analysts and supporters were urged to differentiate between rumour and fact as new details emerged from official channels and credible outlets, with the emphasis staying on Safonov’s performances and readiness for upcoming duties.
The match itself served as a platform for both clubs to assess talent and shape tactical plans ahead of the season. PSG took the lead through Mbaye and Soler, showing the offensive variety within the squad, while Sturm, not to be outdone, struck back with goals from Camara and Kiteishvili, underscoring the visitors’ resilience and the competitive nature of European friendlies. The outcome, a 2-2 draw, highlighted the balance between two teams evaluating young players, integrating new signings, and tweaking defensive organization under the guidance of their respective coaching staff. The contest also offered a glimpse into Safonov’s adaptation period as he integrated with PSG’s defensive lines and developed rapport with teammates during high-press sequences and set-piece situations. As preparations for the new campaign continued, supporters and analysts watched closely for indicators of how Safonov would perform in domestic league action and European competition, once all regulatory questions surrounding his eligibility had been resolved. The encounter thus stood as more than a mere scoreline; it was a moment of alignment for a star-studded PSG squad keen to assert its ambition and a Sturm side intent on building momentum through sturdy performances against elite opposition.