Ernesto Valverde's plan for Arturo Vidal this season
At the moment he's been used from the bench to shore up the team, but he has the perfect profile for the toughest matches in the Champions League
"It looks like they are players who don't have that DNA and if you go off course by a millimetre, it's bad. But there are players who produce that style and others who enrich it." Arturo Vidal was a surprise arrival at Barcelona this summer and was immediately met with scepticism.
Ernesto Valverde, one of the driving forces behind the move, wanted the Chilean in his squad. Not even the importance of Arturo in Pep's Bayern was enough to justify his transfer for some.
His appearance is in stark contrast with the discreet profile of players such as Xavi and Iniesta who have helped create the identity at Barcelona.
The Camp Nou, however, made it clear what they felt about the Chilean in his debut against Alaves. This is nothing new because the supporters have always had sympathy for hard-working and rapturous types like Neeskens, Puyol and Luis Enrique.
the barça dna
"I don't know if a footballer who is only physical scores 10 or 12 goals per season. I'm known for recovering possession, being tactically strong, helping the team and running up and down the pitch. But I'm also capable of helping out with goals when the opportunity presents itself," Vidal told SPORT when questioned about how he'd fit in at Barça.
At the moment, he already knows he wasn't signed to be thrown into the first team. Rakitic, Busquets and Coutinho are three midfielders who are going to play most of the time. Valverde is using him to restore the balance of the side when Barcelona threaten to lose control of a match.
Whether that's in a 4-3-3 or the 4-4-2, where he played at Zorrilla, Vidal is adjusting to the mechanics of the team and will provide that intensity he's always shown on the pitch.
Valverde has started the season his way: without any significant rotations and keeping faith in the XI which won a domestic double last season. The biggest change is the return to 4-3-3 with Messi on the right of the three, where he played for Luis Enrique.
A change in position has had a dominio effect. Dembele, now a member of the starting lineup, is playing on the left and Rakitic must get used to covering for Messi.
The new signings, at the moment, are being introduced slowly. Valverde is also resorting to previous methods in certain matches, such as Roberto playing in midfield to stop the opposition from having too much time on the ball.
This approach to the defensive side of the game might help Vidal get regular minutes in the tougher Champions League matches.
In these contests, Valverde likes to have an extra man in midfield or that one of the three is more physical. This might see Coutinho being pushed further forward and Vidal slotting in alongside Busquets and Rakitic.
Until then, the Chilean must adapt to a new style. Pique spoke about his quality a few weeks ago.
"Pep Guardiola trusted him in the facets of play which perhaps most wouldn't. He could do that with Arturo Vidal because he's really good at pressing but also sees how a match is playing out and knows how to slow the tempo down."
