Why Arturo Vidal vs. Gabi Is the Key Bayern Munich vs. Atletico Madrid Battle

The second legs of the UEFA Europa League semi-final round look set to be tense, exciting affairs, and Tuesday’s matchup between Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid is particularly intriguing.

With the Spanish side a goal up from the first leg, Bayern will look to dominate possession even more than they did in the first leg. They’ll also rely on key players to create chances against Europe’s top defence, probably including Thomas Muller from the start this time.

One Bayern player who could have had a greater impact on the first leg was Arturo Vidal, and his ongoing battle with Gabi, the holding midfielder for Atleti, will be the pivotal focus in the second leg as Atleti look to make their second final appearance in three seasons.

Gabi’s Form

One of the stars of Atleti’s surge in the second half of the season, Gabi has been in imperious form for several months, displaying his best mix of defensive protection and attack support.

While we recently discussed why he can remain a key part of the side for some time to come despite his advancing years, in this one-off match, he will be absolutely vital in shutting down the spaces in front of Atleti’s back four, along with Augusto Fernandez.

The organisation and work rate of the Spanish club is legendary, and their penchant for keeping clean sheets—they haven’t conceded a goal in the last 601 minutes of play—stems from the entire team working as a unit, not just the back four and goalkeeper. Gabi’s ability to break up …

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