Paulo Oliveira – Vitória Guimarães (10/03/2013)

Here is a magnificent collector's item from the Europa League European evenings. This match-worn jersey was worn by the solid Portuguese central defender Paulo Oliveira during the group stage match between Olympique Lyonnais and Vitória Guimarães at the Gerland stadium (2013-2014 season).

Match context: The Portuguese push OL at Gerland

For this 2nd matchday of the group stage, OL hosted the Guimarães team. Facing favored but struggling Lyon players, the Portuguese visitors approached the match without any complexes and pushed the Gones. Vitória Guimarães created a surprise by opening the scoring in the 39th minute thanks to a goal from Moussa Maâzou. With their backs against the wall, Rémi Garde's Lyon reacted after the break: from a free-kick by Clément Grenier, Maxime Gonalons equalized with a superb cross-header (53rd). Despite an intense and undecided end to the match, the score did not change, and the two teams parted with a draw (1-1).

Paulo Oliveira: The rock of Vitória's defense

A very promising young central defender and future Portuguese international, Paulo Oliveira was the control tower of Guimarães' defense, renowned for his sense of positioning, his authority in aerial duels, and his clean distribution. Starting at center-back for this perilous trip to Lyon, he delivered a dominant performance, tirelessly repelling the attacks of the Lyon forwards and stabilizing his team's block under the pressure of Gerland. Worn in the heart of the battles of this European contest, this official kit includes all the official patches and markings of the competition and shows the signs of the field. A rare and highly symbolic collector's item.