Vitinha at the Helm: PSG’s Quiet Revolution Under Enrique Ahead of Monaco Clash
28 November 2025
Vitinha: A Different Engine for PSG, Not Busquets’ Echo
Paris Saint-Germain’s coach, Luis Enrique, has nothing but praise for Vitinha, the Portuguese midfielder, and he confirms he isn’t worried about PSG’s attacking figures. He stresses that Vitinha’s value lies beyond numbers and that his evolving role is delivering the balance the team needs.
Three days after a 5-3 Champions League victory over Tottenham, PSG heads to Monaco in the Ligue 1 schedule, seeking to keep the momentum going as the season moves into its later stages.
In a Friday press conference, Enrique explained that the media loves to classify players, but Vitinha’s true form must be judged across his seasons—how he evolves, how the team presses, and how they manage matches. “It’s wonderful to have a player who loves football and training,” he said, underscoring Vitinha’s intrinsic motivation.
We’ve managed Vitinha well, adjusted his positioning, and changed a few things to fit him in a central role. He is distinct from Sergio Busquets—one of the world’s best—yet Vitinha sits among the elite, performing with a different style. The coaching staff deserves credit for enabling a positive, standout contribution from him.
On PSG’s scoring drought among attackers, Enrique remarked that the team is among Europe and France’s top scorers and emphasized that winning matters more than who finds the net. “What matters most is securing the victory; scoring is secondary,” he asserted.
Enrique also highlighted the development of younger players, noting that Kenten Ngantou has shown versatility and quality whenever given a chance, and that more opportunities will come for him and others in the squad.
Lucas Hernandez and discipline
In a separate note, Enrique discussed Lucas Hernandez’s sending off against Tottenham, stating that while experience helps, split-second decisions demand composure. The coach added that Hernandez is an important, beloved member of the squad, and that the club seeks to adjust mentalities, not out of fear but to maintain high standards.
Regarding fixture congestion, Enrique explained it’s difficult to manage and that players require careful physical recovery and smart training. The team enjoys playing in blocks of three matches, as it signals their status among Europe’s big clubs, with resilience at the core of their approach.
Enrique confirmed that Nuno Mendes will not feature against Monaco due to muscular discomfort reported at halftime versus Tottenham. He stressed that recovery comes first and that if Mendes is fit for a final, he will be ready; otherwise, the focus remains on getting him back in peak condition for upcoming fixtures.
To cap the remarks, Enrique spoke warmly about Paul Pogba’s return to the pitch for Monaco, calling it a positive sign for the present and future. He praised Monaco’s strong squad and warned that the upcoming duel will be tough, but PSG will defend fiercely and play their best to secure a battling result—a contest the coach likened to a miniature version of a Champions League night.
In short, Enrique’s PSG is a side that values balance, faith in its youth, and strategic flexibility. Vitinha’s role is central to that evolution, while the rest of the squad adapts to a demanding domestic and European calendar.
