It is a very unusual scene that has intrigued all the observers. At the 35th minute of the match against Auxerre, when he had just delivered a delicious decisive pass for the opening of the Zabarnyi score, Vitinha was recalled on the bench by Rafel Pol. The exchange between the Portuguese medium and the assistant of Luis Enrique was somewhat lunar. Vitinha, the black look, did not seem to be touched and visibly sought explanations.
Until then, he had played with more or less happiness his role as captain of a ship that lacked experience and stability. His technique allowed him as always to take the laundry of poorly coordinated opponents.
With tranquility and mastery, the Portuguese crossed the match without incident. In the 32nd minute, with a perfectly dosed bell, it allowed Zabarnyi to register his first goal under the Parisian colors. Everything seemed to be planned. Until the assistant coach reminds us on the bench.
For his teammates who appeared in front of the press after the match, there did not seem to be the slightest intrigue. Even if they had no specific information, Vitinha had to injure himself. How could it be otherwise? A player of this importance, conductor of the team, cannot leave the class in the 35th minute without a word from the doctor.
Asked about his captain and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Senny Mayulu opted for an injury: “I have no news, but it’s football. It happens the injuries, I hope they will recover well. Everyone is behind them, as always. We want to be ready for Barcelona. »»
“We changed Vitinha because we noted some problems”
Lucas Hernandez was trying to put the hecatombe who touches Paris at each of his outings: “At the moment, it’s true that there are injuries but strength is the team. Everyone is concerned and each time a player replaces another, he shows that he is up to par. »»
Has Vitinha felt pain and he asked to be replaced as a precautionary measure? Did the sensors that follow all the players’ parameters detected an anomaly pushing the coach to remind the bench? Luis Enrique does not wish to deliver this kind of details.
Asked about the release of his player, the Parisian coach remained strangely evasive: “We changed Vitinha because we noted some problems. I do not know if he is injured but we do not want to take any risks ”. The prospect of an injury, in addition to that of KVaratskhelia, leaves it concerned. “Unfortunately I can’t say anything positive. We must wait until the medical staff decides tomorrow or after tomorrow to find out what type of injury they have. ”
Player in exemplary state of mind, Vitinha did not seem to be blamed by anyone after the match. Like all his partners, he participated in the tribute ceremony to Ousmane Dembélé and Luis Enrique. Unlike Kvara and Ruiz, he accompanied the Ballon d’Or to the Auteuil podium and returned, certainly head -to -down, but by walking completely normally.
Already deprived of several executives, Paris is advancing very weak for the shock against Barça on Wednesday. Luis Enrique may repeat that he will always find solutions, he no longer has the best sharp knives in his drawers. If the kvara package is confirmed and added to those of Dembélé and gifted, its attack will be very weakened. And his environment will not be in an Olympic form since Neves and Ruiz were unable to hold their posts against Auxerre. And the prospect of having to do without Vitinha, a metronome of the team, is cold in the back.
Knowing that FC Barcelona also has many wounded will not be enough to console Parisian supporters. “You have to be positive all the time,” adds Luis Enrique. It’s a shame to have a match against Barcelona in four days without 5 or 6 important players for us and for them. It’s a shame for me, for the opposing coach Hansi Flick and for the supporters of the two teams ”.
