Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Champions League for a second consecutive season after defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday, May 30. The final ended 1-1 after extra time, with PSG winning 4-3 on penalties.
After the match, PSG midfielder Vitinha criticised Arsenal's tactics in an interview with TNT Sports. The 26-year-old Portugal international said patience was required against a side that slowed play at every opportunity.
"You have to be patient when you're up against a team like that," Vitinha said. "We knew it was going to happen, but even more so after Arsenal's goal, since you really have to be patient." He added: "It's difficult because you see the clock ticking away, it's a final, you want to win and they waste a lot of time on everything: throw-ins, goal kicks, everything. And it's very difficult because if you fall into that trap... you lose your cool." Vitinha also described Arsenal defending with two compact lines, at times dropping six players behind the ball.
Vitinha played the full 120 minutes and was named player of the match. Match data showed Arsenal finished with 28 percent possession compared to PSG's 72 percent, the lowest share recorded by a team in a Champions League final.
PSG manager Luis Enrique said Arsenal had scored from an early chance and then defended deep. "The match started the best way for them, they scored in a lucky action, and after that it was a pleasure for them as they know how to defend, so it was very tough," he told TNT Sports.