Genoa: Vitinha's tackle at OM

Vitinha (24 years old) has not yet established himself at Genoa since his arrival in Italy last January (6 Serie A matches, 1 start, 1 goal). But the Portuguese striker on loan from Olympique de Marseille (with a purchase option of €25 million, editor's note) clearly shows a more relieved face in Liguria. Recently interviewed, the Lusitanian declared that he wanted to return the favor to the Grifone.

Obviously happy to have landed with the current twelfth in the Serie A standings, Vitinha is very happy to have left OM. In an interview published this Friday by the Gazzetta dello Sport, the former resident of Sporting Braga looked back on his complicated time on the Canebière. An inconclusive adventure in terms of statistics (6 goals and 4 assists in 43 matches) that the Lusitanian put down to the weight of his record transfer being too heavy to bear (he is the most expensive recruit in the history of OM, editor’s note).

Vitinha feels better in Genoa

“When I went to Olympique de Marseille, it was the first time that I left my comfort zone and it was also my first experience abroad. But that's not all: I felt the additional weight of the price of my transfer (€32 million, editor's note), which had a negative effect. There was a huge amount of pressure on me, as well as learning a new language, adjusting to life in a new country and some family difficulties. I still consider this year fruitful. But in January I felt I had to leave and I thought this was the best place to find myself”he declared, before continuing.

“Here there are people who love me, support me and help me. That means a lot. There is unexpressed potential, but it is also a question of philosophy and method. Many clubs buy players to achieve immediate results. At Genoa, it's not like that: the club follows you, helps you, and that allows the group to grow. » By exposing the difference in treatment he received in Marseille and Genoa, Vitinha did not fail to send a little dig at the Olympian club.