Bayern Munich’s midfield powerhouse Arturo Vidal has claimed that his team are the strongest left in the competition and are expected to lift the trophy. The German giants were predicted to have made it this far but Atletico Madrid are a tough nut to crack.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN FC he said, “I think Bayern are the favourites to win the competition.”
Vidal is in his first season at Munich after moving here from Juventus last summer. After a slow start to his career in Bavaria he seems to have finally found his rhythm. The Chilean believes that he is currently playing for the best team in the world saying, “Thanks to all the effort I have put in over time I'm now at the best team in the world.”
Vidal also revealed the motivation behind him wanting to win the Champions League saying, “It's revenge. Revenge and a dream I have.” Vidal came close to winning the Champions League last year but his team Juventus lost to Barcelona in the final.
The 28-year-old believes the battle between them and Atletico will be won or lost in the midfield.”They are very strong in the centre of the pitch, it's going to be a tight match. We trust in our players and in our team and we are going to try to control the ball the entire game.”
Vidal has been a sort of utility player for Guardiola this season but has eventually settled in that central box-to-box role that he favours. “From the very beginning [Guardiola and I] talked a lot. He knows what I'm like, how I like to play,There are times I have to play a little further back when we have to be cautious and I don't have the freedom to attack, though I feel comfortable in all positions in midfield, when given the possibility to either attack or defend.”
Vidal stills feels the heartache of leaving Juventus after playing for the Turin side for 4 years. “In Italy the tifosi [Juventus faithful] made me feel like a king. They had a lot of affection for me and I spent four happy years there.”
But he thinks he is slowly winning over the fans at the Allianz arena as well. “Now I've come to Bayern it's different, the people are different, but I'm gradually gaining their affection and I hope to arrive at the same place I was at with Juventus.”
Vidal admitted that Pep Guardiola’s announcement to leave the club was a surprise to him but he is happy here and wants to end his career with the club. “I hope to remain here until I retire.”
