5 Things Bayern Munich Fans Need To Know About Arturo Vidal

5. Him And Douglas Costa Will Make Bayern Champions League Favourites Again

Bayern Munich have crashed out of their last two Champions League semi finals. Last year they were beaten 5-3 on aggregate by Luis Enrique's Barcelona side and it became clear that their central midfield positions were lacking firepower. Xabi Alonso and Bastain Schweinsteiger occupied a double pivot against Barcelona while Thiago Alcantara and Phillip Lahm played further advanced on the flanks as part of a 4-2-4. There was no fluidity to their attacks and an overly defensive central midfield pairing proved too disjointed from the attackers. The inclusion of Arturo Vidal as a replacement for one of the holding midfielders will give a more direct link between defence and attack. If Guardiola prefers to use a double pivot then the Chilean midfielder could be used as an attacking playmaker as part of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system. Bayern have also signed Douglas Costa for £21 million this summer, the midfielder played predominantly on the right hand side for Shakhtar last season but combined with Vidal the pair will add speed, skill and dynamism to what was a slightly ageing midfield.