Arturo Vidal Makes Perfect Response to Beckenbauer Critique in Bayern Munich Win

Bayern Munich made it five wins from as many Bundesliga matches on Saturday, downing Darmstadt 3-0 at the Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor. Goals from Arturo Vidal, Kinglsey Coman and Sebastian Rode made easy work for the Bavarians as they cruised to victory, claiming first place in the Bundesliga as they extended their streak to a perfect five wins in as many matches in the German top flight.

On paper, it was just another walk in the park for the three-time defending German champions against their newly-promoted opponents. For Vidal on an individual level, however, it was a particularly special match. The context of the fixture is important.

Speaking to Sky Germany (h/t ESPN FC’s Stephan Uersfeld), Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer was critical of the Chilean following his midweek performance against Olympiakos.

"We don't need footballers who don't move, we have enough,” the World Cup-winning player and coach said. "The hope in him was higher. He can certainly play better. You can play bad passes and lose direct duels, but the effort has to be right."

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Vidal's goal , AWESOME https://t.co/v8M6Qhpfiq

— Alex (@JuveAk) September 19, 2015"

Vidal had also taken heat after a drink-driving scandal during the summer’s Copa America, and during the recent international break withdrew from the Chile squad for personal reasons. There have been legitimate reasons to question whether he’s been 100 percent with the Bayern team as he’s had to cope with off-field issues.

That’s why Vidal’s performance on Saturday was so significant. He took responsibility and delivered a simply stunning goal. Not only was it the critical opener to break the deadlock, but it came in a game in which Bayern were more likely to need something from him as Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup was depleted of many players upon whom they typically rely for goals: Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller in particular. And even Thiago Alcantara, less of a direct goal threat but certainly a capable influence in attack, was left out.

Bayern, therefore, were more in need of their attacking play to come from a less likely source, and it was the under-pressure Vidal who stepped up to deliver.

There were many big performances from Bayern players on Saturday, and Rode’s name perhaps will ring loudest in the headlines due to his surprisingly effective attacking output of an assist for Coman before scoring the third himself. As well, Coman’s name on the scoresheet will also be quite encouraging after he set up two against Olympiakos in midweek. Both players did more than enough to earn more playing time in the weeks and months to come.

However, Vidal’s performance ought not to be overlooked. It was the Chilean who paved the way to victory, finding the net for the all-important opener. This eased his team-mates’ nerves and also silenced his critics quite quickly. It did, after all, take him only 20 minutes to put the visitors ahead.

Moreover, as important as it is that squad players like Rode be capable of delivering as part of a rotation or in place of potentially injured or suspended first-team players, it's even more important to Bayern's title aspirations that Vidal be in form. He's their world-class summer signing in central midfield, the €37 million man they need to be at his very best in the tough Champions League and DFB-Pokal fixtures on the horizon.

Although recent concerns about Vidal's life off the pitch have been legitimate, the Chilean showed on Saturday that he's pulled himself together and can deliver in a big way. Bayern are much better for it.

@Mr_Bundesliga