PSG goalkeepers use rugby tackling pads to prepare for Arsenal’s set pieces
On May 30, PSG and Arsenal face each other in the Champions League final. The Parisian goalkeepers have worked on set pieces, Arsenal’s specialty.
Qualified for its second consecutive Champions League final, PSG will try to go back-to-back against Arsenal on May 30.
Against the Gunners, the Parisians must be wary of set pieces, the English club’s specialty. With the two teams facing each other in 18 days, the capital club is already working on several aspects of this final.
On Tuesday, during the day-before-game practice, the Parisian goalkeepers prepared defensive set pieces.
PSG goalkeepers train with rugby pads for Arsenal’s set-piece threats
As reported by RMC Sport, Matvey Safonov and other backup goalkeepers took turns trying to catch airborne balls near their goal line, while being jostled by their teammates.
“Two goalkeepers who were not in action were equipped with a tackling pad, regularly used in rugby, to hit their teammate and disrupt his attempts to come off his line. The goal is simple: prepare the Parisian goalkeepers for the aggressiveness of the London attackers on set pieces,” the cited outlet explained.
“During this final, there will very likely be a lot of movement in the Parisian penalty area, and Safonov will need to be authoritative in coming off his line to repel the danger. That, at least, is the staff’s intention through this drill, with two and a half weeks to go before the match,” RMC Sport concluded.
