Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has been included in the squad for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, according to the club's official announcement. The Portuguese playmaker had been a doubt after suffering an Achilles tendon inflammation during the Ligue 1 defeat to Lyon earlier this month. His return to training on Monday paved the way for his inclusion in Luis Enrique's 23-man selection.
Vitinha's availability provides a significant boost for PSG as they prepare for their most important match of the season. The 24-year-old has established himself as a crucial component in Luis Enrique's midfield this campaign, contributing both creativity and tactical discipline. His potential involvement comes alongside that of Achraf Hakimi, who also makes the squad despite being substituted at halftime against Angers last weekend as a precaution.
The club confirmed that, with the exception of long-term absentee Quentin Ndjantou, this marks the first time this season that PSG has a fully available squad. This comes at a critical juncture, with the French champions seeking to advance to their first Champions League final since 2020. The fixture renews a recent European rivalry with Bayern, with the German side having eliminated PSG in the 2021 quarter-finals en route to winning the competition.
Vitinha's season has been one of growing influence since his move from Porto in 2022. His technical quality and ability to control the tempo of games have made him increasingly important, particularly in European matches. His fitness race was closely monitored by the Parisian medical staff throughout the past week, with the club opting for a cautious approach given the stakes involved.
For Bayern Munich, facing a PSG side at full strength presents a formidable challenge. The Bavarians, managed by Thomas Tuchel, will be aware of Vitinha's ability to dictate play from deep positions. His presence allows PSG greater flexibility in midfield, potentially freeing other attacking talents like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. The match at the Parc des Princes represents the first of two high-stakes encounters that will decide which club progresses to the final at Wembley Stadium on June 1.
