Luis Enrique Says Aleix Vidal Had a “Spectacular” Game vs. Gladbach

A little bit of the stick and a little bit of the carrot. Luis Enrique had all but frozen Aleix Vidal from the team, but after a good showing against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the coach had nothing but praise for his player.

“I’m very happy,” Luis Enrique said. "He is in great physical form... he played well with and without the ball." The coach even went as far as to say that Vidal played a “spectacular” match.

It was thought Vidal was sure to be sold during the upcoming transfer window. But maybe that’s not written in stone.

Some will criticize Lucho for not using Vidal earlier, but maybe, just maybe, this was all part of the master plan.

Force Vidal to work harder in training and motivate him until he was ready. And unleash him if he got with the program, and praise him for his improvement.

Motivating players is, after all, a big part of why coaches are paid vast amounts of money.

If that was indeed the plan, and Vidal goes on to play well for the rest of the season, notch one for Luis Enrique. If not, well, at least Barcelona will get a slightly larger fee...