PSG's penalty prowess continues, fueled by a viral 'magic towel' and strategic brilliance. Discover the secrets behind their shootout dominance.
Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain won its fifth consecutive penalty shootout on Thursday night against Olympique de Marseille, which allowed it to lift a new title, as it did against Tottenham and Flamengo. The Parisian takers delivered, as did Lucas Chevalier, well aided by the staff's famous magic towel.
There will certainly be a day when it stops... but on Thursday night, the Luis Enrique version of PSG strung together a fifth consecutive victory in a penalty shootout against Marseille.
A series that began in December 2024 at Lens, in the French Cup Round of 32, with Matvey Safonov in goal. Then extended against Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg at Anfield, this time with Gianluigi Donnarumma.
This summer, with Chevalier in goal, PSG won its shootout against Tottenham, which allowed it to win the European Super Cup. And there was obviously that memorable shootout last December against Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final with 4 saves from Matvey Safonov.
Luis Enrique Credits Staff, Goalkeepers for PSG's Remarkable Penalty Shootout Record
On Thursday night in Kuwait, the four Parisian takers converted their penalties (Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Désiré Doué), even though Vitinha and Mendes had a scare since Geronimo Rulli had gone the right way.
Fooled by Mason Greenwood on a penalty during the match, Lucas Chevalier saved the first two Marseille penalty kicks, each time going the right way, to his left. Only Amir Murillo caught him off guard.
As in the first four shootouts won by PSG, goalkeeping coach Borja Alvarez consulted with Chevalier before the shootout and gave him all the necessary information on the Marseille takers. Information slipped into the famous red towel that went viral after Safonov's legendary shootout against Flamengo.
In the mixed zone, Lucas Chevalier confirmed that he had indeed used that magic towel on Thursday night against OM, but he also did not want to downplay his own role, nor the random factor of a penalty shootout.
Did I have the little towel with the takers? Yes, yes, of course... PSG has been very good at penalties since Liverpool last year, it seems to me. They have won everything. But yes, it also starts with work that is done with the staff so that we (the goalkeepers) are in the best conditions.
But afterwards, it is we who make the decision. Opposing players can also change, so there you go, but in any case, it seems to work well. Instinct and the work that is done work well.
During his post-match press conference, Luis Enrique was questioned on the subject with the first question: "There are people who say it's luck, maybe there is an element of luck," he conceded.
But today, I think all goalkeeping coaches, all the teams around the goalkeepers have information on opposing players for penalties. We agree that we have very great players to take penalties, and also high-level goalkeepers, like Safonov and Lucas Chevalier. This combination is fantastic for us.
Speaking to Ligue 1+, Luis Enrique delivered a similar message but made sure to name his goalkeeping coach, Borja Alvarez.
Normally, everyone says it's luck, and there is a part of luck. But all teams work on it, all goalkeeping coaches work on it. We have Borjita (Borja Alvarez, the goalkeeping coach), who is phenomenal; he gives the information to the goalkeeper.
I am very happy for Lucas, for Motya (Safonov, injured), and for all the goalkeepers because every time there is this possibility, they are at a very high level.
Join The Conversation
Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. Scroll up to the top of the page and click 'Join'.
Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favourite teams and news!