As the Champions League quarter-finals approach, Paris Saint-Germain is preparing for a heavyweight rematch against Liverpool, but midfielder Vitinha has made it clear his team is taking nothing for granted. Despite Liverpool's recent dip in form, the Portuguese star emphasized the enduring threat of the historic English club ahead of their first leg at the Parc des Princes.
"Liverpool are Liverpool, even if they are not in ideal form. They are still a great team," Vitinha told reporters on Tuesday. He stressed the need for maximum focus, adding, "It will be a great match here, and at Anfield, and tomorrow we will need to be at 100 percent. It will still be a very, very difficult game."
This clash is a direct sequel to last season's dramatic last-16 tie, a story of home defeats and ultimate penalty drama. Liverpool won 1-0 in Paris, only for PSG to return the favor with a 1-0 victory at Anfield before advancing in a shootout. That triumph propelled PSG to their historic first Champions League title, while Liverpool secured the Premier League crown, marking a pinnacle for both clubs.
The narrative has shifted this season. Under new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool has struggled for consistency, arriving in Paris on the back of a heavy 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. With just one win in their last five matches and sitting fifth in the Premier League, their season hangs in the balance.
Reflecting on last year's epic, Vitinha recalled the fine margins. "It was an incredible tie. There was a bit of frustration in the first match. I don’t remember Liverpool having a chance apart from the goal they scored at the end. We played well and yet we still lost. I remember saying that by playing like that we could go to Liverpool and win. Fortunately we did that."
He was quick to note, however, that history offers no guarantees. "But that was last year. This is a different year, there have been changes in the two teams. Lots of things happen in football in a year, and it will be a different game for sure." With both sides featuring new faces and different dynamics, this European showdown promises another chapter of high-stakes drama, where past glory meets present pressure on the grandest stage.