In the Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal to win the championship. After the match, Paris Saint-Germain player Vitinha was interviewed.
What did Enrique say at halftime?
Vitinha: Against a team like that, you have to be patient. We knew that would be the case, but even more so after Arsenal scored. You have to be very patient. It's difficult because you watch time tick by, it's a final, you want to win, and they're also running down the clock, all sorts of delays... It's hard to control your emotions, and if you get caught in that trap, you lose your cool.
In the first half, they often set up two tight defensive lines, sometimes with six players pressed back, making it very difficult to break through. You want to play a killer pass, you want to break through the defense, but you can't, and that's what they want. You have to run without the ball, look for space. The coach said these things at halftime, and I also felt that there was a little more space in the second half, and we seized the opportunity and won the penalty shootout.
Did you expect the game to be so difficult, with the opponent's defense so tight?
Vitinha: We did expect it to be like this. After Arsenal scored at the beginning, the game became even tougher, and as I said, we stayed patient and waited for the best moment. We also created other chances and could have sealed the victory earlier. I think we are deserved winners. Arsenal is a very good and very competitive team, but today our performance throughout the Champions League deserved the win.
How is your physical condition? How did you feel at the end of the game? What did it mean to you not to be able to finish the game?
Vitinha: I was very disappointed because I wanted to be on the field to help the team, but I cramped up and couldn't continue.
How do you feel about being the best player?
Vitinha: It's fantastic, and it will stay with me forever. But I don't think it's my credit, it's the whole team's credit, it's everyone's victory.