Before Wednesday, Vitinha had never scored more than once in any game in his professional career. That particular record ended up in the dustbin with his treble in Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur on a night he delivered a “sensational” display, in the words of his coach Luis Enrique.
That verdict was echoed by UEFA Technical Observer Ole Gunnar Solksjær, who elaborates on his impact beyond his goals in the following analysis, brought to you by FedEx.
As it happened: Paris 5-3 Tottenham
The video above features Vitinha’s first two goals – the magnificent first-time right-foot strike that drew Paris level at 1-1 and then the left-foot effort for 2-2 that the player declared himself happier with, because “with my left I’ve had only one or two in my career”.
For the watching Solksjær, there was so much else to admire about a player with exceptional technical ability who can keep the ball in the tightest areas and progress it up the pitch. “He is the one who controls the rhythm of the team and who plays the line-breaking passes,” said Solksjær.
Indeed, on the latter point, no player on the Parc des Princes pitch on Wednesday produced more line-breaking passes than Vitinha’s 17.
Seventeen line-breaking passes by Vitinha – more than any other player on the pitch.
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Solksjær added of the Portuguese playmaker’s role in starting play: “He picks up the ball everywhere, in all phases. He gets it from the goalkeeper, on the side of the centre-backs during the build-up, rotating in and out. He also plays decisive passes and tonight scored the goals and won the penalty too. He did everything.”
From Luis Enrique, there was praise also for Vitinha’s “personality”, the Paris coach citing how “even when he gave that goal away” – namely his loss of possession before Tottenham’s third goal – “he showed he was there” by winning and converting the penalty for his hat-trick three minutes later.
For Solskjær and UEFA’s game insights unit, it was important to also note Spurs’ contribution to this goal-packed contest. Paris were fully tested by an aggressive visiting side whose game plan was to “really get after” the European champions, with coach Thomas Frank praising their bravery as he reflected on “how aggressive we were, how we went up in the man-man pressure”.
Sportingly, Frank also had words for Player of the Match Vitinha. “Wow what a player,” he said of the 25-year-old, adding: “Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world.” At the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night, few were in the mood to disagree.
“I never thought I’d be able to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. It’s a dream.” Vitinha
A renowned striker who won six Premier League titles at Manchester United, and scored the winner in the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League final, Solskjær steered Molde to two league titles in his native Norway then reached the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League final as United boss.
