This Friday, before Luis Enrique’s press conference, Paris Saint-Germain published its traditional medical update. A bulletin which was eagerly awaited in the capital, but also in Munich. Indeed, everyone was waiting to know more about the state of health of Vitinha, who was injured last Sunday against Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1 (2-1 defeat). The French champions wrote about him: â âthe inflammation in Vitinha’s right heel is progressing favorably. He pursues individual work.â Asked about his midfielder, Luis Enrique seemed a bit annoyed: âyou asked me that question two days ago, nothing has changed.â Despite everything, his condition is evolving positively according to the latest reports.
Which can be reassuring, even if it does not confirm that he will be ready to face Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening in the Champions League semi-final first leg. A crucial meeting for the title holders, who will inevitably be better with their environment. This season, the former FC Porto player has participated in 45 matches in all competitions this season. Time to score 7 goals and deliver 10 assists. Valuable in the midfield, the Portuguese is very important in the eyes of Luis Enrique and PSG. Last year, he was essential in winning the Champions League. On the German side, his case is inevitably talked about. With or without him, it’s not the same. Sky Germany is well aware of this.
An injury that causes
âPSG, ââBayern’s opponent, fears for their star midfielder Vitinha before the Champions League duel. He is the mainstay of Bayern’s semi-final opponent, the playmaker of the Paris Saint-Germain team that won the Champions League in Munich a year ago. Vitinha is the master playmaker and the brains of PSG. However, his participation in the match against Bayern Munich is uncertain. The 26-year-old is perhaps the most important factor for the play of coach Luis Enrique’s team and the Portuguese national team, with whom he also won the Nations League last year, eight days after the Champions League triumph with PSG.
sky continues: âEven though Luis Enrique stressed that his team had to accomplish their mission without Vitinha and that he had full confidence in his replacements, the absence of the Portuguese player would be a big blow for the reigning champions. âI donât see a better midfielder in any team in the world,â declared the PSG coach.â An opinion shared by South German Zeitungwho compared it âto Barça legend Xavi Hernandez for his vision of the game and, given his dynamism in the Champions League final against Inter, spoke of similarities with Lothar MatthĂ€us.â For his part, Bild evokes a âsuspense surrounding an injured superstarâ and wonders if âthis key player will be absentâbefore mentioning a possible bluff from Paris.
The German press evokes a possible bluff
âFans of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich’s opponent in the Champions League semi-final, are worried about one of their key players: midfield maestro Vitinha (26) injured his right foot last Sunday during the Ligue 1 match against Lyon (1-2) and had to be replaced after just 39 minutes of play. The big question: will the Portuguese player be out of the first of two Champions League matches on Tuesday in Paris, or are PSG bluffing? The Parisian club has so far only announced in a press release that Vitinha was suffering from inflammation of the heel. The club has not yet specified the duration of unavailability, and it is therefore officially unknown whether Vitinha will be restored on Tuesday.
Bild adds: âIs the superstar’s participation kept secret only to keep Bayern coach Vincent Kompany (40) and his staff in the dark for as long as possible, thus complicating their preparation? The Belgian appeared very relaxed on Friday, assuring everyone that his attention remained fully focused on Saturday’s Bundesliga match at Mainz. Asked about this by Bild, he simply said: “of course, I am aware, but I will not have an answer to this question for three days” What is certain is that the German press is wondering whether or not Vitinha will be present on Tuesday evening. For skyit will be decisive. âLast year, he had to give up the trophy to his teammate Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ©. If he manages to retain his Champions League title with PSG, Vitinha will undoubtedly be among the favorites for the Ballon d’Or. Germany would like not to cross its path in the coming days. Paris, on the other hand, would like to count on him.
