This Wednesday, Olympique de Marseille will travel to Lisbon to take on Sporting Portugal in the third round of the Champions League. Ahead of this encounter, Portuguese media reached out to former Marseille striker Vitinha, who is now with Genoa. At just 25 years old, he is well-acquainted with both sides, having faced Sporting in the Portuguese league while also spending two seasons at Marseille. He views the Ligue 1 side as a formidable opponent for the Lisbon team.
Vitinha commented on the match, expressing that he expects a very strong Marseille team filled with talented players. “What we’ve seen in their recent matches shows they are competitive, with individuals capable of making a difference at any moment,” he remarked. He believes Marseille is more stable now compared to when he was part of the squad, noting that this stability is essential for successful performances on the pitch. “The coach has instilled a sense of confidence and competitiveness in the team,” he added.
For Sporting, demonstrating their capability in this competition is of utmost importance. Vitinha emphasized that even Marseille’s usual substitutes are high-caliber players, which maintains the team’s competitiveness regardless of changes made by the coach. “If team dynamics are not working, individual players will struggle to make an impact,” he stated.
He concluded by wishing good luck to both teams, expressing a particular fondness for Marseille due to his past with the club, and extended his best wishes to Sporting as a representative of Portuguese football. Excitement builds for this clash in the Champions League, with fans eager to see how the two teams perform.