Renato Marin Could Start in Psg - Lorient Goalkeeper Call
Luis Enrique kept psg - lorient open on Friday by refusing to rule out Renato Marin as his starting goalkeeper, leaving Matveï Safonov’s place in doubt for Saturday at 17:00. Lucas Chevalier cannot be selected after a right thigh injury in training on Wednesday, and Martin James is also unavailable.
Marin in the PSG frame
Marin could make his first Ligue 1 start against Lorient, and the decision would come after PSG added 18-year-old Arthur Vignaud to the goalkeeper group on Friday. Safonov is behind Marin in the hierarchy, which is why the choice has narrowed around the two remaining senior options.
That uncertainty was left there on purpose. In Friday’s press conference, Luis Enrique said, “Avec l'équipe B de Barcelone, chaque gardien avait joué sept matches en début de saison. Ensuite, j'avais choisi celui que je considérais comme le meilleur. Je suis ouvert à changer des choses, cela vaut pour toutes les positions, je n'ai aucun problème avec ça.”
Safonov and the rotation
He added, “Toutes les options sont possibles.” The remark came after Safonov suffered cramps on Tuesday night against Bayern Munich in PSG’s 5-4 win, but the coach did not move to lock in a starter for Lorient.
Marin has already been used once this season. He started the Coupe de France round of 32 against Fontenay-le-Comte on 20 December, a 4-0 PSG win, then spent most of his time with the Espoirs group. He arrived on a free transfer from AS Roma, and his entourage says, “Il est heureux à Paris. Il a une bonne relation avec le staff et ses équipiers.”
Vercoutre and Alonzo on PSG
The goalkeeper decision also fits PSG’s recent habit of moving pieces when needed. Luis Enrique rested Gianluigi Donnarumma between the two semifinal matches against Arsenal last season, and he has already shown he is willing to change his setup in goal. That leaves Safonov waiting to see whether his work in the Bayern game is enough to keep the job on Saturday.
Rémy Vercoutre said, “Moi, je ne changerais pas la dynamique de Safonov,” and added, “Sans faire offense à Lorient, il y a de grandes chances que le PSG ait la maîtrise. Avec la blessure de Chevalier, je trouve ça moins intuitif.” Jérôme Alonzo was equally direct about the Russian keeper: “Il est bien dans son jus.”
For PSG, the practical issue is simple: Chevalier is out, James is out, and the coach has kept Marin in play. If Luis Enrique turns to the 19-year-old on Saturday, the move will show a clear preference for rotation over hierarchy at a position where the options are thinner than usual.
