Clearly, it is too late to regret or remorse, because the damage has been done. But still, we can’t help but think that PSG could have plugged a few more holes and kept the furniture a little more upright on Wednesday at Newcastle Park with Vitinha in their ranks from kick-off.
The 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder did not overnight become the player who will win matches for his team, nor the leader of this team, but he has the merit, at least, to bring seriousness to the matter and guarantees of security and discipline, which is not bad indeed for the training that is outdated. Time is largely in these sectors early in the week in north-east England.
Balance and creativity
On the evening of Sunday 8 October at Rennes, the former Porto midfielder showed anyway that he can be a key link in Luis Enrique’s system this season and that his status as a substitute against Marseille and Newcastle may seem unfair given his performances since August and what he can do. Introduced in this hybrid left wing position. The Portuguese commented calmly after the match, saying: “We have several ways to play, and this is important.” We have a lot of solutions in the team, and it is very good to have this quality of players and this diversity of systems. »
Randall Kolo Mwani has preferred to play this position out of the more demanding and demanding position, and Vitinha has also proven that he is capable of making his contribution up front within an attacking animation that is more than sluggish and lacking in imagination.
The Portuguese international did not waste it when he had to arm this wonderful shot with his right foot at the entrance to the penalty area, allowing Paris to open the scoring, which hit Roizon Park in the beak but is hot so far (32nd place). .
An illustrative and liberating delight
His first goal of the season came at the end of great teamwork initiated by Marquinhos with a backheel near his own area. Usually reserved and inactive, Vitinya expressed his happiness with obvious joy, saying all about the feeling of liberation that inhabited him.
In a 4-3-3/4-2-4 formation, the Portuguese achieved that balance that PSG sometimes lacks when it comes to making efforts to win the ball back. In the attacking phase, he also brought that extra technical prowess that allowed the midfield to link up with the Parisian attack and provide that dose of creativity that was sometimes missing.
The Spanish technician explained: “I am happy that Vitinha adapts perfectly to our idea of football.” He never loses the ball, he can dribble, he can provide assists, he can score. He is a very complete player depending on where the ball is on the field. It does what needs to be done. He’s tough on defense. I’m so glad he scored. I am happy with his level and the level of the team. »
It was also necessary to see Luis Enrique gesturing on the edge of the pitch and substituting his player to understand his key role in moving the Spanish coach, who will certainly have to rack his brains after the break to make room for his number. 17. What is most pleasing is that Vitinha, in any case, appears to have put together a first exercise that mixed promising starts with erratic performances during which he often displayed a certain shyness that seemed very distant this Sunday.
