‘We'll be ready’ - Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha’s Champions League warning for Arsenal as he ‘dreams’ of glory in final

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Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha says his side have no advantage from beating Arsenal last year as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.

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The two sides go head-to-head in the Budapest showdown on May 31, with the French champions looking to defend their European crown, and The Gunners hoping to win it for the first time, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Arsenal, fresh from sealing a first league title in 22 years, are now preparing for their first Champions League final since 2006.

It will be no easy task, though, with PSG reaching a second successive final, and showing their credentials at both ends of the pitch in the semi-final triumph over Bayern Munich.

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They dismantled Internazionale 5-0 in last year's final, the most one-sided showpiece in Champions League history.

Now they face Arsenal, a side they met three times on the way to glory last year, with Arsenal winning 2-0 in the league phase, before PSG won both legs in the semi-finals.

That experience may be one that could benefit the French champions mentally, but Vitinha is adamant that his side have no material advantage from winning last year.

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When asked if he felt his side could benefit from that experience, he said: ”I don’t think so, the Champions League final is the Champions League final.

"In that same year, we played against them three times, in the league phase as well, and then to eliminate [them] in the semi-final.

"So, I don’t think so. Last year was last year, this is different. This is one game only. That is the Champions League final.

"We will be ready. We must be ready, and we will be ready."

It is all too easy to talk about the PSG attack, with the flair of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, combined with the goalscoring prowess of Ousmane Dembele, and the youthful exuberance of Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola.

But it is in the midfield that allows the front three to thrive, and in Vitinha, Portuguese team-mate Joao Neves and Fabian, PSG have constructed a midfield that is so fluid, it is hard for even the very best to keep track of their movement.

"It is incredible, because I think we already got it last year, that mobility that we have, but this year even more," Vitinha added.

"The more we play, the more we know about each other, the more we know about the patterns, the dynamics, the movement.

"The truth is, we are already well dynamised with each other, we know what is going to happen.

"When it is like that, we know what is going to happen, and the opponent doesn’t. It is very difficult to follow."

Sometimes it is difficult to appreciate the trajectory of certain players when looking at them controlling games now.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Vitinha is certainly one of those players, having failed to make a notable impression on the Premier League when on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Now, he is among the very best in the world, already has a Champions League medal to his name, and is set to be a key protagonist for his nation at the World Cup.

But before he heads out to the USA, Mexico and Canada for the summer showpiece, he will step out in Budapest, desperate to become a two-time Champions League winner.

"Right now, in my life, it would mean everything," he said.

"It is the most important thing I have. I always dreamt of playing in a Champions League final when I was a kid.

"Last year we got the privilege to play and win. Right now, to play a second Champions League final and to be able to win it, would be a dream."

How to watch the UEFA Champions League final

The UEFA Champions League final will be live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.

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