Top scorer against Lens recently (3-1), Vittenha finally opened his counter under PSG’s jacket but this long-range goal feels like a special moment in his season. In numbers, the Portuguese is trying his luck well below his former club, FC Porto. How do we explain the decline in offensive initiatives taken by the Parisian environment?
Vitinha has been released, delivered, and has finally found the net with Paris Saint-Germain. With a clear shot near the surface, the 23-year-old midfielder scored his first goal in Parisian colors against Lens (3-1) two weeks ago. A moment enjoyed by the Portuguese, who explained step by step that ” I have been waiting for this goal for a long time. » Already a crucial pass a few minutes earlier for Kylian Mbappe, the tiny 1.72m midfielder signed one of his most successful matches for PSG. But that first late goal did not find follow-up in Angers, and since his arrival in Ligue 1 the Lusitanian has become a more reserved player. The numbers prove it.
Shoots twice
Among the main architects of the 30th league title won by Porto last year, Vitinha was named Portugal’s Young Player of the Season. Mobile, technical, and a ball-wielding right-footer, the midfielder is particularly distinguished for his ability to attack for space, highlight himself or shoot. Last season, he tried his luck 62 times in the league, scoring two small goals.
Modest effectiveness but existing attempts. At PSG, his numbers are plummeting and the Portuguese has only fired 25 shots at the end of Day 32. Over 90 minutes reported, Vitinha fired an average of 2.48 times last season versus just 1.11 times in the current drill.
Undeniably, it is related to the team dynamic in which it is brought into. If we make the analogy with his last season, we quickly notice distinct differences in terms of personality.Judge Remy Martins, a vigilant FC Porto fan who gave us a full presentation of the player in a podcast. “At Porto he had Uribe and Grujic, two players more in need and destructive than Verratti and Fabian Ruiz. So Vitina was more able to show himself and take risks at FC Porto than in Paris.”
“There are a lot of participants in the French League”
It is also related to the level of competitiveness of the two leagues. The capacity of Ligue 1 clubs is much higher than that of Portuguese clubs, with the exception of the top four (Porto, Benfica, Sporting and Braga). It is clear that in the Portuguese championship, small teams live with a lot of speculation and the expectation of a huge mistake, notice. A player like Vitinha, his role is more likely to be viewed in this context than against the Ligue 1 club facing PSG even if the balance of power is in favor of PSG in most cases as well. It’s still very different, there are many participants in the French League. “
With Messi, it’s less important in attacking animation
Ten months after arriving in the capital, Vitinha is still apprehensive about a new environment. “In the distribution of commitments in terms of the spaces to be occupied, and the efforts made to present them at different times of the match, but also according to the characteristics and qualities prevailing in each of them, this does not characterize the reality experienced by Vitinha at the port. There is a break between the two,” Judge Remy.
At PSG, the profiles he evolves with are different. This symbiosis is also done with players who are assertive in the creative process. Therefore, in the distribution of positions in space, it is not clear to match the profiles that meet at certain points as in the case of Paris Saint-Germain without having to face a problem that may reflect some discomfort for Vitina.
“Lionel Messi holds a huge place in the creative process of the team he plays for. It’s not easy for a midfielder to put himself out there and take risks when you have a player like Messi. His playing area can get crowded quickly, Remy calls. Not surprisingly, the midfield has been more careful with regard to the attacking contribution. Vitinha fits this idea. »
Confidence must be restored
He who has self-confidence leads others. After the cannonball’s debut, Vitinya went through the second half of the season in the shadow of the first. Less sharp in his calls, in his passes or in his predictions, the talent of the 2000 generation almost seems to be losing some of the automaticity it has acquired in a few matches.
“If we had certainty in our heads, we would be better able to take risks.”
“We can talk about an emotional dimension that is less present for him at Paris Saint-Germain than at PortoRemy trusted. In Porto, he became undisputed in November 2021 and was never questioned from there, which is not the case in Paris Saint-Germain where he faced criticism. Obviously, this puts him in a useful predisposition to reach for all the potential he has to prove. If we had certainty in our heads, we would be better able to take risks. When we are questioned, we will give up the risk and fall into prudence. »
Can he score this first goal against the Portuguese Lens Freestyle? At a press conference the following Thursday, Christophe Galtier hinted that his subjects were “He’s back in shape with confidence.” A good omen for the Portuguese, but so far without confirmation.
