Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has returned to first-team training ahead of the club's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. According to Le Parisien, the Portuguese international is now fit and available for selection after recovering from a heel injury sustained during the Ligue 1 match against Lyon. His return completes manager Luis Enrique's squad, with no other players reported absent for the crucial European fixture.
The 24-year-old's availability provides a significant boost to PSG's midfield options as they prepare to face the German champions. Vitinha has been a consistent presence in the Parisian engine room this season, featuring in 42 matches across all competitions and contributing with seven goals and five assists. His technical security and passing range are considered vital for Luis Enrique's preferred style of play, especially in high-stakes continental matches.
Vitinha's injury occurred during the 4-1 victory over Lyon on April 21st, casting initial doubt over his participation in the upcoming European tie. His swift recovery timeline, confirmed by his presence in Monday's training session alongside teammates including the recently returned Fabian Ruiz and Nuno Mendes, alleviates those concerns. The club is expected to provide a formal update on his status during the pre-match press conference.
From Bayern Munich's perspective, the news contrasts with their own squad situation, as defender Raphael Guerreiro has been ruled out of the first leg due to injury. Vitinha's potential involvement could see him line up against former PSG youth academy product Kingsley Coman, who now features for the Bavarian side. The midfielder's role, whether from the start or as an impactful substitute, will be a key tactical decision for Luis Enrique as PSG seeks a positive result at the Parc des Princes before the return leg in Munich.
The fixture represents the latest chapter in a growing European rivalry between the two clubs, who met in the 2020 Champions League final, which Bayern won. For Vitinha, a product of Porto's academy who joined PSG in the summer of 2022 for a reported fee of €40 million, a strong performance on this stage would further cement his importance to the project in the post-Kylian Mbappé era. His return to fitness at this critical juncture underscores his value to a squad aiming to reach its first Champions League final since that 2020 campaign.
