PSG midfielder praised Dembele’s leadership and assured the team was prepared for a great game.
Vitinha assured on Tuesday that PSG is prepared to face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter=finals, rejecting any notion of favoritism and highlighting the Parisian team’s current form.
In the press conference previewing the first leg, the Portuguese international highlighted the evenness of the tie.
Everyone knows that in these games, there are no favorites. Liverpool is a great team, with great players, and anything can happen. These are two games, at the Parc des Princes and Anfield, and we will be at 100 percent. We always play to win, the Portuguese international began by saying.
Vitinha also highlighted the atmosphere at the resort and the motivation for this type of gathering.
The mood is incredible. We’re eager to play these big Champions League games. These are matches that every player wants to play in. We’re focused, attentive, and ready, the player said.
The Portuguese midfielder also addressed the role of Ousmane Dembele, who recently made strong statements after the defeat against Rennes in February.
We talked about it and we’re calm. We know Ousmane well. It’s normal that he spoke emotionally. He even had some reason to, and that ended up having a positive effect on the team, he explained, reinforcing the Frenchman’s status. He’s a natural leader. Because of what he does on the field and what he transmits to his teammates, he added.
Regarding the midfield, Vitinha acknowledged the importance of Fabián Ruiz, who has been absent since January due to a knee injury, but guaranteed a collective response.
We want everyone available, especially a player who was so important, but we’ve already shown that when someone is absent, the team responds. We adapt and remain competitive, he said.
The Portuguese international also spoke about his physical condition, admitting some “luck” in avoiding injuries this season, and recalled last season’s duels against the English.
Those were exceptional games. We put on a great performance in the first leg, but we lacked the result. We want to repeat that quality, but with a different outcome, he said.
Finally, he praised Achraf Hakimi, whom he considers a key player, and made a note about Hugo Ekitiké, who was with Paris Saint-Germain in the 2022/23 season but transferred to Liverpool this season.
He’s a very talented player. I wish him all the best… except for these two games, Vitinha joked.