Barcelona: Arturo Vidal set to get opportunity against Atlético

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Arturo Vidal of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Arturo Vidal of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Arturo Vidal is expected to fill in for the suspended Ivan Rakitić

Ivan Rakitić may have taken one for the team in Real Betis’ 4-3 victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou, but Ernesto Valverde is hoping that the 30-year old Croatian playmaker’s decision doesn’t come back to haunt the side in the top-of-the-table clash against Atlético.

Ivan Rakitić’s first yellow card was controversial, as he mistakenly stamped on a Betis player’s foot while attempting to reach a ball played by Luis Suárez. He openly expressed his discontent at being booked, and referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was the subject of some ire from the Camp Nou.

But the former Sevilla midfielder could not protest against his second booking, which resulted in his sending off. He lashed into Giovani Lo Celso as the Argentine playmaker received the ball to initiate a counter-attack. Subsequently, Rakitić received a red card and marching orders.

He will not be playing against Atlético, which is not good, considering his stature. But Ernesto Valverde might have an adequate replacement in new signing Arturo Vidal, who has had to be content with a spot on the bench for most of the time since joining from Bayern Munich.

The experienced Chilean box-to-box midfielder is getting more playing time in recent weeks, and has started to adapt to the Barça style of play. Of course, he cannot be compared with Ivan Rakitić because these two have entirely different sets of footballing skills.

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But Arturo Vidal has more goalscoring guile. He is more physical in his play, and possesses the ability to win the ball back further up the pitch. While the 32-year old Copa América winner may not be the best passer of the ball, he is still among the greatest midfielders of his generation.

Vidal could come in handy against Atlético. Los Colchoneros have physical midfielders like Gabi, Thomas Partey and Koke who pose a challenge to any backline with their strength in the middle of the pitch. Vidal could help out the defence by combating with these players.

Also, he is unafraid to take shots from outside the box and could be stinging Jan Oblak’s gloves at the Wanda Metropolitano. Vidal is also an aerial threat, as he showed by scoring the final goal in the 5-1 destruction of Real Madrid.

But his best performance of the season has been undoubtedly against Real Betis, despite the loss. After coming on at half-time in place of an underperforming Arthur, Vidal titled the scales in the Barça’s favour in spells. He ended the game with a goal and an assist apiece.

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Going into only his third start of the league season, his performance against Betis will give him confidence against Atlético, who lie in 2nd place, just a single point behind Barça.