Does Vitinha play today? Athletic Club x PSG in the Champions League By Beatriz
4 min read
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Vitinha, Portuguese midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, starts the game against Athletic Club this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Estádio San Mamés, at Bilbao, Espanha, for the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The 25-year-old player, 1.72m tall, takes control of the midfield in a 4-3-3 formation of Luis Enrique, seeking 15 points for PSG, current European champions in fourth place with 12 points. Sua starting lineup at 8pm local time reinforces the quick transition of the French team, which faces an Athletic in 28th place with four points and the need to win for the playoffs.
The clash comes after PSG scored 19 goals in five UCL games, the highest total in the competition, with Vitinha directly contributing in five decisive actions. The Portuguese, born in Vila of Aves, has played 100 games for the club since 2022, including trophies such as Ligue 1 and Champions League in 2025.
The match represents the first official duel between the teams in the history of Champions, with San Mamés packed to put pressure on the visitors.
- PSG: defense with eight goals conceded, but attack led by Vitinha with four goals in the UCL.
- Athletic: recent 1-0 victory over Atlético of Madrid boosts confidence at home.
- Referee: Daniel Siebert, with an average of 4.26 cards per game.
Coach Ernesto Valverde bets on Basque compactness to contain the pace imposed by the Parisian midfield.
Numbers that mark the evolution of Vitinha
Vitinha recorded 5 goals and 1 assist in 29 games in the Ligue 1 2024-25, with an average rating of 7.97 in the Sofascore.
In the current Champions League, he has accumulated 4 goals in 5 matches, including contributions in 80% of PSG’s games, with 2,035 total minutes in the season.
His passing accuracy reaches 88%, with 27 shots on goal and 14 on target, showing precision when passing the ball.
This data positions the Portuguese as the top scorer in PSG’s midfield, surpassing rivals like João Neves in offensive contributions.
Career peak in the 2024-25 season
Vitinha’s finest hour came in November 2025, with a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Tottenham in Champions League.
In that game, he equalized twice and converted a penalty, turning the score around after PSG conceded goals of Richarlison and Kolo Muani, scoring his first professional treble.
The performance earned a rating of 10 on SofaScore and inclusion in the UEFA team of the round, consolidating its third place in the Ballon d’Or 2025.
Vitinha extended his contract until 2029, after 100 games in Ligue 1, with goals against Brest and Atlético Madrid in Mundial of Clubes.
Tactical impact on the duel in Bilbao
Vitinha becomes PSG’s metronome, dictating 67.8% possession in European games alongside João Neves and Fabián Ruiz.
His versatility allows infiltrations in the final third, with an average of 1.5 steals per match, neutralizing transitions from Athletic led by Nico Williams.
In San Mamés, he must exploit Basque weaknesses in dead balls, where PSG converts 40% of their chances, increasing the recent rating of 7.5 against Rennes.
- Progressive passes: 39 touches in the opponent’s area, creating chances for Kvaratskhelia and Barcola.
- Duels: Vence 65% aerials, crucial against Galarreta and Jauregizar in the middle.
- Leadership: Como starter in 20 of 29 games, drives victories in 80% of cases.
This influence can guarantee dominance, with PSG needing points to put pressure on Arsenal in the table.
Versatility under the command of Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique uses Vitinha in hybrid roles, alternating marking and creating since the 2025 pre-season.
In the 4-0 victory over Nantes in 2022, he debuted as a starter, adding trophies such as UEFA’s Supercopa against Tottenham.
His adaptation to the 4-3-3 reduces defensive errors, seen in the defeat to Bayern, with 18 clearances in 491 league minutes.
Facing compression from Athletic, Vitinha presses high, with 2,689 touches of the ball in the season, praised by Roberto Martínez in the Portuguese team.
The coach highlights his intelligence, allowing rotations with Zaïre-Emery in the improvised defense.
European legacy and international contributions
Vitinha has played 80 games in the Champions for PSG, with 2 goals and 15 clean sheets, including the semi-final against Manchester United in 2021.
For Portugal, he has 35 caps without goals, but he won the Nations League 2025 and was runner-up in the Euro Sub-21 of 2021.
His 7-0 aggregate record over Brest in UCL playoffs puts him ahead of former teammates like Verratti in assists.
These numbers reinforce progress in 60% of the knockout rounds with him on the field, now extending to the undefeated campaign at home.
Preparation for the Basque challenge
Vitinha arrives in shape after a 7.5 rating against Rennes, training infiltrations in the last few days in Clairefontaine.
The hostile stadium tests his concentration, but he shone in visits like Camp Nou, with possession above 60%.
Partnership with Pacho and Marquinhos aims to contain Sancet, with 63 technique, while the game requires focus over the 90 minutes.
The Portuguese, agent for Gestifute, market value at 90 million euros, is looking for more milestones in the decisive clash.
