Beyond the superstars: the unsung heroes quietly holding the keys in the Champions League final

Champions League finals are supposed to belong to the obvious names. The explosive winger. The ruthless striker. The captain with the armband that “gets stuck in” and “leaves it all on the field”. But when Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday, May 30, the game may hinge on two players who generally do their best work away from the spotlight.

For Arsenal, that man is David Raya. For PSG, it is Vitinha. OK, given that we’re talking about the Premier League and Ligue 1 champions,. neither is exactly unknown, but both operate in that strange space between essential and under-celebrated. They are often not the headline act but they may well be the reason there is one come the result.

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Why David Raya matters so much for Arsenal

Leandro Trossard put it neatly when asked for Arsenal’s unsung hero of the season: “David needs a lot of credit.”

He is right. Raya has become one of the clearest symbols of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal although I know that he can occasionally be terrifying for fans who prefer their goalkeepers to simply launch it when under pressure. His saves matter, of course, but so does everything before the save, whether that’s his positioning or command of the area. Given the quality coming at him and his defenders, he is likely to be crucial.

Vitinha, PSG’s quiet controller

Talking of that quality, Vitinha is the player who helps make PSG feel less like a collection of stars and more like a team with a pulse. Luis Enrique’s midfield anchor is not just there to tidy up, he carries the ball through pressure, shifts the tempo and gives the team a route out when games become frantic. He is one of those players who turns others into headline makers. The likes of Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Doué must love playing with him.

And that’s why he feels so key in this final. If Arsenal allow him to glide between lines, PSG can turn defense into attack in seconds. If they smother him, they may cut off the supply before it reaches the more glamorous names.

Arsenal vs PSG: a tasty contrast

That is the beauty of this matchup. The big names will have the cameras following them, but Raya and Vitinha may hold the keys to what ultimately transpires. One protects Arsenal’s structure from the back. The other gives PSG rhythm from the middle.

Finals are remembered for goals, saves and sometimes even a dodgy referee call. But In Budapest, the loudest story may begin with two of the quieter men on the pitch.

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