Paris Saint-Germain are the dominant side in the Champions League.
Not because they’ve swept aside every team in the competition so far. They’ve lost twice already, after all, including a 2-1 defeat to their semi-final opponents Bayern Munich in November.
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Rather, it’s because they see the largest share of possession in the Champions League. A 66.6% possession haul is the highest. They’re devilishly good at holding onto the ball. And the key to their dominance is Portuguese pass-master Vitinha.
While he hardly pulled up any trees during his season-long loan spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 26-year-old has gone on to become one of the best midfielders in Europe. He’s now central to the way PSG play.
Portuguese pass-master
Luis Enrique’s side can effectively dictate the tempo because of Vitinha. 104.5 passes per 90 minutes is more than any other player. A 93.6% pass accuracy is second only to Jonathan Tah (96.6%) in Europe’s elite club competition.
In short, if PSG are ticking, it’s because Vitinha is pulling the strings. So, understandably hearts were in mouth when the midfield metronome was forced off shortly before the break of their recent 2-1 defeat to Lyon. A heel problem threatened to derail PSG’s season as they push to defend their European crown.
His absence against Bayern Munich would be a sizeable blow and then some. The Bavarian bruisers remain one of the favourites to go the distance for the first time since 2020. Harry Kane is in flying form. Michael Olise is putting in Ballon d’Or-worthy performances. Luis Diaz has shone since his arrival. Jamal Musiala is back and firing following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
In short, keeping the ball away from the attacking quartet is of the utmost importance. And this is where Vitinha comes to the fore. His key trait is the ability to retain possession. To keep play ticking over. To keep the ball away from the opposition dangermen.
Press resitance key
He does a fine job at doing so, too. Vitinha is being dispossessed just 0.6 times per 90 in the Champions League this season and boasts a 100% take-on success rate. In short, Vitinha is incredibly press resistant and works superbly in tight areas. For a PSG side that seeks to build attacks from defence, this is a crucial quality.
Push high onto the Portugal international, and he’ll be able to wriggle his way out of danger with ease. This is particularly notable in that only Olympiacos (78) have won possession in the attacking third more times than Bayern (76) in the Champions League this season.
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Conversely, Vitinha isn’t there to just get the ball rolling for PSG. Indeed, he’s an incredibly important player to the way the Parisian powerhouse operate out of possession. A midfielder of Vitinha’s calibre may sit and allow teammates to carry out the nitty gritty defensive work, instead saving their energy to hurt teams when on the ball.
Hard worker off the ball
Vitinha, though, actively goes in search of the ball to help create opportunities for teammates. The PSG star is chipping in with a modest 1.6 tackles per 90 and has won possession in the attacking third more times (15) than any other player. Only teammate Nuno Mendes (50) has done so more times in the midfield third than Vitinha (46). He’s more than a luxury midfield player. MUCH more.
As such, it’s painstakingly clear that Enrique needs his midfield brain, and to a lesser extent brawn, to be fit and firing for the first leg tie with Bayern. Admittedly, Brazilian defender-by-trade Beraldo has deputised in midfield well in recent weeks, but Vitinha is a level above the 22-year-old at the base of Enrique’s favoured 4-3-3 setup.
In fact, one would go as far as saying that the success of PSG’s season rests solely on Vitinha’s availability. He’s that crucial to the way the French giants operate.
Unstoppable Force meets Immovable Object
And with Bayern in nigh-on unstoppable form at present, despite showing signs of weakness against Mainz at the weekend, limiting the time their flying frontline has on the ball is absolutely vital. After all, they travel to Paris on a 19-game unbeaten run, winning 17 of those, and have scored four or more goals in four of their last five competitive matches.
One thing is for certain, this semi-final showdown is tipped to be one for the ages. Two of Europe’s heavyweight sides going toe-to-toe for a shot at continental glory. And with Vitinha expected to recover in time for Tuesday’s first leg meeting, PSG’s chances of exacting revenge upon Bayern increases significantly. In fact, it’ll be the difference between a semi-final exit and a meeting with Arsenal or Atletico Madrid in Budapest next month.