Vitinha, who started against AEK Athens in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was silent despite Marseille’s 2-0 win. This situation is worrying given the investment made for the transfer of the Portuguese striker, who was recruited for €32m, including bonuses, in January last year. But Gennaro Gattuso is full of praise for his striker.
Arriving in January for around €32m, including bonuses, Vitinha is struggling to justify the investment of OM. Starting on the pitch of AEK Athens on Thursday evening, in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Portuguese striker was once again silent despite the Marseille victory (2-0). After the match, Gennaro Gattuso nevertheless stood up for Vitinha by praising the Portuguese striker.
Gattuso praises Vitinha
“He played a very good game. I still have the impression that you always ask me questions about him. I love the player he is. I love Vitinha for his game. He is a player who fights, who plays for others. He knows how to play, he scores. You always want to polemicize about Vitinha. I am very proud of him and I am very happy with the whole team,” the OM coach said in a press conference, before continuing.
“He is very strong for his age”
“He is very strong for his age. I have two top players, I make choices. He still needs to work and progress, he is still young, but he has personality. Even if I have to help him progress, I don’t only focus on one player, I work with the whole team. What I want is for my players to be calm, and then it’s up to me to make the right choices. Two days after my arrival in Marseille, I told Vitinha that there was only one thing he had to improve: his smile,” adds Gennaro Gattuso, clearly delighted to be able to count on Vitinha in his squad.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings