Guangzhou Evergrande edge Bayern Munich on penalties as Guardiola remains guarded on Vidal future

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola refused to comment on Thursday on the imminent arrival Chile’s Copa America winning playmaker Arturo Vidal from Juventus.

Guardiola had just watched his side beaten 5-4 on penalties by Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande after a goalless friendly and the Spaniard preferred instead to praise the efforts of his opponents while lauding the success of his team’s pre-season China tour.

Just before kick-off on Thursday, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed he had agreed a deal for Vidal bringing an end to the speculation that had followed his club on their three-match tour.

“I can confirm that there is an agreement between the two parties (Bayern and Juventus). He still needs a medical but if everything goes as planned, he should be training with us next week,” said Rummenigge. The deal is reported to be worth US$38.5 million.

But Guardiola was adding nothing. “There’s no comment because he has not signed,” said the manager at the post-match press conference.

“Tonight was a wonderful match and I am completely satisfied with the condition of my players after this tour,” Guardiola said.

Bayern had beaten Valencia 4-1 in Beijing last Saturday, and Inter Milan 1-0 in Shanghai on Tuesday before their defeat on penalties in Guangzhou.

“Generally speaking, the training here was good. In Beijing and Shanghai it was very good, but we didn’t have enough time for a full session in Guangzhou.