INTERVIEW: Arturo Vidal central to Juventus' European resurgence

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In what must be regarded as three of modern football’s greatest transfer coups, Juventus were able to sign Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba on free transfers while Arturo Vidal joined for a relatively modest fee from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011, and the fourth member, Claudio Marchisio, is Turin born and bred.

With Pogba’s return to fitness against Cagliari over the weekend, the central quartet will be reunited tonight for their semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, and the differences with their opponents could not be more striking.

There is a wonderful balance about Juve’s midfield, with Pirlo retaining possession and utilising his incredible passing range with the engine and bite of Vidal and Pogba either side of him and Marchisio’s consistency and calm. Madrid, on the other hand, have assembled a Harlem Globetrotters-style group over the last three seasons, with more than €200m (Dh826.5m) spent on players at the very top of the game but who lack any obvious compatibility.

With Luka Modric injured, Toni Kroos struggling and Carlo Ancelotti seemingly not trusting Asier Illaramendi or Sami Khedira, how he must yearn for a player in the mould of Vidal. The Chilean, equally excellent at both ends of the field, represented the heart and soul of Juve’s 2-1 first-leg victory in Turin; a notable statistic being that collectively Juve outran Madrid by 7.7km with Vidal covering 12km on his own.

Ahead of tonight’s tie, as Juve bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2003, Vidal spoke to Sport360 about what their approach will be and the pleasure of playing alongside Pirlo and Pogba.

Why do you think you won the first leg? 

We were very strong as a team. An individual performance can’t beat Real Madrid, and we will have to be very strong as a team again in Madrid.

What were Max Allegri’s instructions before the game?

We wanted to not concede, that was the plan. That didn’t happen, but we still came away with a very positive result to take to Madrid.

Will you look to protect your lead or try and score more at the Bernabeu?

We are playing with maturity at the moment and we must get the balance right, we can’t just sit back and let Real Madrid attack us for the 90 minutes, but at the same time we have a lead that we want to protect. It will require a very mature performance.

What did you make of Madrid in the first leg?

Real are one of the best teams in the world, they are the current champions. The result in Turin has not changed my opinion of them at all.

Do you expect Sergio Ramos to play in midfield again on Wednesday?

Obviously they have had injuries in midfield, only their coach knows what team he will play, but whatever team he picks we know it will be a very strong one.

How pleasing will it be to have Paul Pogba back in the team?

He has become one of the best central midfield players in Europe, and he is still so young. At his age he is only going to get better, there is no limit to how good he can become.

Has Andrea Pirlo helped you develop as a player?

All my team-mates at Juventus help me become a better player, but Pirlo is very special. He’s one of the most intelligent players I have ever seen.

Do you think Juventus have gone under the radar in the competition?

If we have I don’t think it has been a bad thing for us. After some time not at the top Juventus are now proving they are back at the top of European football, and that is what is important.

What’s been different about this European campaign for Juventus?

I have already mentioned maturity. We have very good players like we have always had, but I think as a team we have matured together.

Do you agree that you’re one of the best central midfielders in the world? 

If people say things like that or put me in certain lists then that makes me very happy because I have worked hard to be where I am, so it is pleasing to know people can see that. I have some amazing team-mates though and I could not do it without them.

James Rodriguez: “Juventus were a bit lucky” Arturo Vidal: “I don’t know what game James was watching” #JuveReal pic.twitter.com/hKMndiAoNs

— Marco Messina (@Marcocalcio22) May 8, 2015

Who was your football idol growing up? 

I would not say I have modelled my game on anybody, but I have a lot of respect for Xavi and what he has achieved from midfield.

Which present day player do you admire the most?

Over the last years both Messi and Ronaldo have been playing at an incredible level. I think the same is also true of Pirlo though, and I get the privilege of training with him every day.

For you, what would be the ultimate achievement in football?

To win the Champions League would be a big dream, one of the biggest that I have.

Manchester United seemed close to signing you last season, was there any truth in that?

I don’t comment on any speculation, I am very happy at Juventus and my family are happy in Turin.

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