Arturo Vidal’s signing was widely derided when he arrived from Bayern Munich in the summer. He was viewed as ageing, injury-prone and not really suited to Barca’s style of play, yet after a dodgy start he’s settled in well and now appears to be first choice.
He provided another crucial contribution on Sunday too, scoring the opening goal just before half-time after Barcelona had struggled to shake off their Champions League hangover against a Getafe side hoping to clinch qualification for Europe’s top competition.
It was hardly a pretty goal, Gerard Pique flicked on a Lionel Messi free-kick, goalkeeper David Soria could only parry, and Vidal was the man to poke the loose ball home.