Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has admitted he does not yet know whether Vitinha will be fit for next week’s Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
The midfielder will sit out Wednesday’s Ligue 1 meeting with FC Nantes because of heel inflammation, casting doubt over his availability for the first leg at the Parc des Princes.
“We’ll take a calm and measured approach to see how the injured players can make a comeback. But I don’t know,” he told reporters when asked if Vitinha would be back in time for next Tuesday’s semi-final first leg.
“We need to manage Vitinha’s minor injury; some players are a bit tired or have a few niggles,” the Spaniard also told PSGTV.
If the 26-year-old misses out, Fabian Ruiz could return to the heart of midfield. Alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves, he formed the trio that powered last season’s Champions League and Ligue 1 triumph.
Ruiz made his comeback from a knee injury with an 18-minute cameo in the 2-1 home defeat to Olympique Lyonnais last weekend.
“Fabian Ruiz needs more matches and minutes to recover,” Luis Enrique insisted, adding he was nonetheless “happy” with his return against Lyon.
The former FC Barcelona and Spain boss also demanded more from his squad despite the club’s push for another domestic and European double.
Teenage forward Ibrahim Mbaye was left out of Sunday’s loss, with the coach explaining: “Every minute you get to play for PSG must be special. I have no regrets about Mbaye, but you have to be ready. He was ready, but I expect much more from all the players.”
Victory in Paris against Nantes would move PSG three points clear of surprise title challengers RC Lens with five games left in the season.
