One To Watch
Djordje Petrovic, a first-choice goalkeeper
Incredible reflexes, good aerial paly, a diving save, but also intense participation in the game: goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is a key element for RC Strasbourg and one of the architects of the Alsatian club's excellent second half in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Best stats of the season's second half
Since January, in the image of a Strasbourg team that only PSG has done scored better than (34 poins vs. 35), Petrovic has emerged as the No. 1 goalkeeper in Ligue 1 McDonald's. He has compiled seven clean sheets (a record) over the period, including six in the last 12 matches and five in a row on the road, and conceded only ten goals. This allows him to lead the top-flight defense since the 18th round. It's almost logical to see him with an incredible 85.53% save rate over the last 16 matches.
Over the entire season, the Serbian international also remains the goalkeeper with the best save percentage in the top flight, with 76.81% for a total of 106 saves made, placing him among the top 8 goalkeepers with over 100 saves in 24/25 games.
Again on the statistics front, Petrovic has 10 clean sheets in Ligue 1 McDonald's, the second-highest total Going into the final sprint, Strasbourg (sixth, 54 points), are just a point off the podium and undefeated in twelve matches (nine wins, three draws), is more than ever in the race for European places, and they owe this in large part to their goalkeeper, on loan from Chelsea, who is effective on his line and has also had an impact on the team's build-up play.
Congratulations Djordje!
Djorde Petrovic has been nominated for the @UNFP @Ligue1_ENG Goalkeeper of the Year!#TropheesUNFP pic.twitter.com/n8Hk9K5GuK— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) May 6, 2025
Here's what coach Liam Rosenior (like his 'keeper, also shortlisted for the Trophées UNFP) says about him:
"His performances have justified his being part of this project, this club," says Rosenior. "He has no ego. I think that's what will allow him to improve. The more I see him, the more he smiles. He has a wonderful family who have settled here, and he will have a great career."
"I enjoy working with him and I hope that in one way or another, in the future, we'll have the opportunity to work together again, whether here or in five years, but I'd love it if it were next season."
"He's been told he'll be the goalkeeper in Europe with the most touches of the ball."
"We've evolved a lot and everyone is working to protect our goal, but it's also important to be part of the attacking play to help my teammates find the right spaces and score," Petrovic told AFP last week.
Because the Balkan star crossed the Channel and landed in Strasbourg to do just that: to develop his passing game and transform himself into a key member of the eleven when needed. "He was told he would be the goalkeeper in Europe who would touch the ball the most (1,594 this season, No. 1 in Ligue 1 McDonald's), who would play the highest," Sébastien Gimenez, the club's goalkeeping coach, told AFP. "Liam Rosenior told him: 'You think we're crazy.' He replied that he was crazier than us."
DJORDE.
That's it, that's the tweet.#RCSAPSG (2-1) pic.twitter.com/f9wMyOR8b3— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) May 3, 2025
"Including warm-ups, he can reach 7.5 or even 8 kilometers per match, a statistic we see in the Champions League," Gimenez added.
Loaned by Chelsea in August 2024, after three league matches, the Serbian arrived reluctantly at La Meinau after a respectable season (23 matches) with the Blues (who finished sixth last season).
"To be honest, I didn't expect to be here, but I can say it's a success today because it's another year in a top-five European league and it's better than being on the bench," Petrovic said. "I have a contract with Chelsea, I don't know what will happen, but I will never forget this unity that binds us and this atmosphere here. We're aiming for the top four places for the fans, who deserve it."
Read more:
