Vitinha: We Do Not Fear Yamal
Vitinha affirmed that Paris Saint-Germain does not fear Lamine Yamal despite his threat, praising his exceptional level with Barcelona.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Portuguese midfielder Vitinha insisted that Paris Saint-Germain, the French club and champions of the past two seasons, does not fear Lamine Yamal, despite the latter’s significant threat and the outstanding level he has displayed since the start of the season with his Spanish club, Barcelona. Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Vitinha said: “I won’t say we are afraid of him; he is one of the best players in the world. What he does is amazing; he is an exceptional player. It is enjoyable to face this type of player, but not just him. We will first face a great team, and it is not only about Lamine. Dealing with Yamal is one of the main challenges in the match, but PSG’s Spanish manager, Luis Enrique, believes the best way to defend against Lamine Yamal is to possess the ball. That is our ideal objective, but things will not always go that way, as we know how difficult it is to play against Barcelona. However, we must remain focused and alert. We need to overcome this as a team. Enrique must find solutions to stop Yamal, especially with the absence of Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes. When asked whether this encounter between the two sides could be considered an early final, the former Barcelona manager Enrique replied: ‘No, it is the competition that allows us to play such matches. We and Barcelona are among the favorites, but there are several teams capable of winning this trophy.’ For Vitinha, it is still early; we are in October. We know how things can change during the season. The reality of October is not the same as that of March. It is always a big match, one of the best possible encounters between two of Europe’s top teams, alongside German club Bayern Munich. The Portuguese international midfielder added: ‘As was the case against Manchester City (4-2 in the previous round at the English side’s home ground), it is a big match we want to play. Even if it is not decisive, it comes at a stage when the three points could be important. We are eager to show our true level.’
