Arturo Vidal (78 Viewers)
- Thread starter Azzurri7
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This dude risked injuring himself further because of his feelings for his club and country.
If there were any way for me to love this guy even more, I don't think I can find it
- - - Updated - - -
This is from ESPN FC
Arturo Vidal says he will silence the critics by leading Juventus to the semifinals of the Champions League ahead of Tuesday's quarterfinal first leg against Monaco in Turin.
Vidal, 27, has not been as prolific this season as he was in his previous two for the Bianconeri, scoring only six times compared to the 11 and 10 in 2013-14 and 2012-13 respectively.
An injury which almost cost the midfielder a place in Chile's World Cup squad hampered him during the early part of the season.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LATEST
- Roden: Quarterfinal matchups to watch
- Palmer: The key first leg talking points
- Horncastle: Juve cannot be complacent
- Laurens: PSG, Monaco represent Ligue 1
- Five Aside: Barca, Bayern are favourites
- FC TV: The most interesting last eight tie
He chose to undergo knee surgery last April in a bid to be back for his country as well as for his club towards the end of the season, and although that decision may have had repercussions, he insists he has no regrets.
"I would do it all again," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I seriously risked hurting myself beyond repair by trying to get back so soon.
"It was a decision I made for the love of Juventus. I could not have left this club in the lurch before a Europa League semifinal against Benfica."
In spite of his professed love for the Turin club, he has not been spared criticism even from the club's own fans, although he believes he should only be judged when he is truly 100 percent fit as he claims he is now.
"Some [of the criticism] was unfair," Vidal said. "Sometimes I had to play in a disastrous physical state, but only I and the doctor knew.
"If I am needed, I certainly never hold myself back. I certainly cannot be criticised on a professional level. I've always given one thousand percent for this club on the field, no matter how I was feeling."
Juventus are on course to lift the Serie A title for a fourth consecutive season.
Vidal argues that his lack of goals this season can be attributed to his role under new coach Massimiliano Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte last summer.
"Let's not forget the change in coach," he said. "We're now playing a different style to the past. I've got to get used to it too. I didn't get more than seven goals in my first season, and I'm on six now.
"Conte's style of play favoured the midfielders getting into shooting positions and I was often faced with the goal; I had more attacking liberty.
"Having said this, the role I'm playing now is perfect for my characteristics. I'm at the heart of the play and I have more of the ball. Soon, though, I'll get back to scoring with regularity."
And when he does, Vidal says he will prove to everybody that he can make the difference, and that this can be his and Juve's best year ever.
"We're mature enough to aim for the maximum in every competition," he added. "We're all hungry. The Champions League's not easy, but we're pretty close now.
"I believe we're already one of the top four sides in the world, and when you reach the semifinals, anything can happen.
"I'm not scared of Barcelona or anybody else. In fact, I can't wait to measure up to them. We're ready to make that big leap."
If there were any way for me to love this guy even more, I don't think I can find it
- - - Updated - - -
This is from ESPN FC
Arturo Vidal says he will silence the critics by leading Juventus to the semifinals of the Champions League ahead of Tuesday's quarterfinal first leg against Monaco in Turin.
Vidal, 27, has not been as prolific this season as he was in his previous two for the Bianconeri, scoring only six times compared to the 11 and 10 in 2013-14 and 2012-13 respectively.
An injury which almost cost the midfielder a place in Chile's World Cup squad hampered him during the early part of the season.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LATEST
- Roden: Quarterfinal matchups to watch
- Palmer: The key first leg talking points
- Horncastle: Juve cannot be complacent
- Laurens: PSG, Monaco represent Ligue 1
- Five Aside: Barca, Bayern are favourites
- FC TV: The most interesting last eight tie
He chose to undergo knee surgery last April in a bid to be back for his country as well as for his club towards the end of the season, and although that decision may have had repercussions, he insists he has no regrets.
"I would do it all again," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I seriously risked hurting myself beyond repair by trying to get back so soon.
"It was a decision I made for the love of Juventus. I could not have left this club in the lurch before a Europa League semifinal against Benfica."
In spite of his professed love for the Turin club, he has not been spared criticism even from the club's own fans, although he believes he should only be judged when he is truly 100 percent fit as he claims he is now.
"Some [of the criticism] was unfair," Vidal said. "Sometimes I had to play in a disastrous physical state, but only I and the doctor knew.
"If I am needed, I certainly never hold myself back. I certainly cannot be criticised on a professional level. I've always given one thousand percent for this club on the field, no matter how I was feeling."
Juventus are on course to lift the Serie A title for a fourth consecutive season.
Vidal argues that his lack of goals this season can be attributed to his role under new coach Massimiliano Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte last summer.
"Let's not forget the change in coach," he said. "We're now playing a different style to the past. I've got to get used to it too. I didn't get more than seven goals in my first season, and I'm on six now.
"Conte's style of play favoured the midfielders getting into shooting positions and I was often faced with the goal; I had more attacking liberty.
"Having said this, the role I'm playing now is perfect for my characteristics. I'm at the heart of the play and I have more of the ball. Soon, though, I'll get back to scoring with regularity."
And when he does, Vidal says he will prove to everybody that he can make the difference, and that this can be his and Juve's best year ever.
"We're mature enough to aim for the maximum in every competition," he added. "We're all hungry. The Champions League's not easy, but we're pretty close now.
"I believe we're already one of the top four sides in the world, and when you reach the semifinals, anything can happen.
"I'm not scared of Barcelona or anybody else. In fact, I can't wait to measure up to them. We're ready to make that big leap."
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