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Arturo Vidal will miss the rest of the season, after the Bayern Munich midfielder underwent surgery on his knee, as confirmed by the Bundesliga champions on Twitter on Tuesday:
Get well soon, @kingarturo23! đ#Vidal underwent surgery on his knee yesterday, ruling him out for the rest of the season. #ComeBackStronger pic.twitter.com/K6D8pFgHqG
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 17, 2018
Vidal will be a big miss for the club, which is now focused on adding the UEFA Champions League to the domestic crown won last week. Die Roten face holders Real Madrid in the semi-final, with the first leg set for April 25.
Manager Jupp Heynckes has come to rely on Vidal’s mix of tenacity and creative quality. The Chilean has scored six times and supplied a pair of assists in Germany’s top flight, but injuries have been a problem. The 30-year-old has started 23 matches in the Bundesliga and Champions League combined.
His latest injury occurred during a training session on Monday, with Goal’s Ronan Murphy offering details:
Arturo Vidal pulling out of Bayern Munich training due to a knee injury could definitely impact their Champions League chances. A huge player for #FCB
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) April 15, 2018
Murphy also relayed quotes from Heynckes, who initially thought the player’s absence wouldn’t be a lengthy one:
Jupp Heynckes on Arturo Vidal's injury: "He went over under no pressure, but the effects aren't pleasant for us. He has an exposed joint in his knee. He is on his way to Augsburg where a little surgery will take place. So Arturo is sidelined for the short-term." #FCB
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) April 16, 2018
Fortunately for Heynckes, Bayern’s midfield is loaded with talent. Javi Martinez is a rugged enforcer who can shield the defence, while Thiago Alcantara and Corentin Tolisso are playmakers blessed with vision and scoring potential.
Even so, Vidal’s experience and appetite for a battle would have been welcomed against Real. Bayern lost to Los Blancos in last season’s semi-final, but Vidal was on the winning side against the same opposition in the last four in 2015 with Juventus, when the Old Lady reached the final.
