Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich has all the right pieces to replace injured Arturo Vidal

By Garett Kerber

SEVILLE, SPAIN - APRIL 03: Arturo Vidal of Bayern Muenchen arrives for the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Sevilla FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 3, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - APRIL 03: Arturo Vidal of Bayern Muenchen arrives for the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Sevilla FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 3, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) /
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Arturo Vidal is out for the remainder of the season. Though the Chilean is an important player, Bayern Munich will be fine without him.

A major hurdle in Bayern’s race to the Treble appeared when Arturo Vidal was announced out for the remainder of the season. This news followed successful knee surgery to repair the attachment of his rear lateral meniscus. Talk has grown louder about how Vidal fits on this Bayern Munich squad next season, as a result.  The more pressing discussion, though, is how Jupp Heynckes replaces Arturo’s production and presence on the pitch right now.

What will be missed?

Vidal’s characteristics are world-renowned. His tenacity and aggressive play is what vaulted him into the world-class category, and his tackling and defensive skills are certainly a major part of his game. These will need to be replaced in some way, along with his mentality on offense. Javi Martinez has been the anchor of the team, playing as a defensive midfielder that has allowed Vidal to get forward and provide diversity to the attack with his bulldog mentality and style. In addition to his strong long-distance shooting, Arturo provides the physicality and passing ability that opens the field up for players like James Rodriguez, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

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Any analysis of Vidal would be incomplete without mention of his tendency to pick up cards because of his style of play. Notably, his second yellow in the second leg of the ’16-17 Champions League against Real Madrid left die Roten a man down for extra time, debates about the referee’s decision aside. In the ’17-18 season, Vidal leads the team with seven yellow cards across both the Bundesliga and Champions League. Live by the sword, die by the sword. The aggressiveness that serves him so well can also bubble over into a problem from time to time.

The cards come with the playing style that has made King Arturo such a successful player, however. What he has meant to the Bavarians is some grit in the middle of the field to make life difficult on opposing sides defensively and to put pressure on opposing defenses with his long distance shooting ability and hold-up play. These are the strengths the Bayern Munich midfielders will need to re-create individually or by committee for their remaining matches.

Who are the Vidal replacement options?

Bayern boasts a strong stable of midfielders, but who would replace Vidal to give them the best starting XI for Madrid and Berlin?

Option 1: Thiago

Back from injury, Thiago Alcantara has a strong argument for more playing time. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Back from injury, Thiago Alcantara has a strong argument for more playing time. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

The best option is to replace Vidal with Thiago Alcántara straight away, inserting the Spanish midfielder in the middle of the park. Thiago excels both defensively and offensively. He tackles at a 49 percent success rate. He wins take-ons 52 percent of the time. And his headed duels have resulted in a 58 percent win percentage. His passing ability sits at 92 percent accuracy on the year. All these skills were on display in the Pokal Semi-Final win against Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern would have a central midfielder with Vidal’s passing and better dribbling skills. Thiago would provide some strength defensively higher up the pitch to keep the pressure on opponents and in intercepting passes to start the counter.

Thiago’s demeanor is less intense than that of Vidal, but his four yellow cards across the Bundesliga and Champions League show he is also less likely to leave Bayern a man down in these important matches.

Option 2: Corentin Tolisso

An interesting option would be to tag Corentin Tolisso for the Vidal role. Certainly less defensive than Thiago or Vidal, the Frenchman has 8 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. His youth and offensive ability to spray passes to key areas in a variety of ways would give the Bayern attack some teeth, as well as help maintain possession.

Does the Frenchman have what it takes to fill in Vidal’s shoes? (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images,)
Does the Frenchman have what it takes to fill in Vidal’s shoes? (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images,) /

His defensive weaknesses could be compensated by having Javi Martinez play more of a destroyer role. Martinez would focus on regaining possession and distributing it back to the more forward player to attack. Bayern would get a boost in defending counterattacks, but, conversely, would remove a weapon offensively in Martinez.

Finally, Tolisso’s inexperience is likely why he won’t be the choice. Can Heynckes trust the 23-year-old to not make a youthful mistake in a big moment? Maybe, but it’s probably best not to test it when there are more consistent options available.

Option 3: Sebastian Rudy (Javi Martinez)

Sebastian Rudy is a good player, but perhaps not what Bayern Munich need. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
Sebastian Rudy is a good player, but perhaps not what Bayern Munich need. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images) /

Rudy has seen more playing time since Bayern clinched their sixth Bundesliga title, but has struggled to find it consistently. This has been especially true since Heynckes took over as manager.

A steady defensive option, he has not been much of a contributor offensively. An option could be to move Sebastian into the Javi Martinez role and have Martinez play the Vidal role. Martinez’s motor and persistence would be a good replacement for Vidal. However, this option would weaken two areas of the pitch rather than improving or taking a small step down at one.

The way this Bayern XI works, Javi Martinez is too important in his current role to consider this option, though.

Conclusion

The Bundesliga is locked up, leaving Bayern’s focus on the Champions League and DFB Pokal Final.  As far as Bayern is concerned, replacing Vidal is a focus for the remaining big games. The UEFA Champions League semi-final, the subsequent final, and the Pokal final against Eintracht Frankfurt will require tactical adjustment to Vidal’s injury.

Ultimately, Thiago is the best option to fill the role Vidal has played. In some ways, then, the loss of Vidal might not hurt Bayern against Real Madrid much at all. Thiago checks most of the boxes Vidal does, is more dynamic on offense and is less risky on defense. He is, therefore, less likely to pick up fouls, while remaining a defensive asset. Thiago is the perfect replacement for Vidal against Madrid.

In addition, Bayern will have seen their DFB Pokal opponent twice this season by that matchday. Jupp will likely have more room to experiment with the starting XI as a result. It is hard to imagine Thiago not fulfilling the same role against Frankfurt as he does against Madrid, however.

Next: Bayern Munich got their best possible semi-final draw in Real Madrid

Arturo Vidal’s injury and subsequent surgery has left Bayern without an important piece to their championship puzzle. With some tactical tweaks, Super Bayern doesn’t intend to skip a beat to bring home more silverware.