Axel Witsel has made his debut in the Primera Division. After Atletico’s easy win against Getafe, there are two things to remember: Witsel is the third-oldest debutant for Atletico and he played center back as expected. Commentator Michael Van Vaerenbergh saw a “real Witsel performance” against Getafe.
Axel Witsel had to wait 33 years and 215 days for his debut in the Primera Division. At Atletico Madrid in the past, only Jorge Otero and Luis Suarez were older when they first donned the Atletico red and white.
Witsel was posted as expected by trainer Diego Simeone in a defense with three in the center back. Flanked by Savic and Reinildo. Atletico fans on social media were immediately convinced after last night. “The new Marshal of Atletico”, it even read.
Michael Van Vaerenbergh provides some more nuance. “Of course it was only against Getafe, who really isn’t a high flyer. I would give Witsel a 6.5 out of 10. He delivered a real Witsel performance and was never embarrassed.”
The fans saw in the preparation that Witsel is far ahead of other defenders when it comes to football.
“The Red Devil brought peace to the ball in the back, is a constructive improvement and he easily found someone in midfield.”
“What plays a part in the lyrical reactions of the fans is that they followed the preparation, where Witsel also played as a central defender, including in the friendly match against Juventus, which Atletico won 4-0.”
“Keeping everything closed in the back has been Atletico’s specialty for years. The fans have not forgotten last season’s ailing defense. In addition, they saw in the preparation that Witsel is far ahead of other defenders such as Savic, Reinildo or Hermoso.”
Rest of the season in defense?
It will really come as no surprise to anyone that Axel Witsel also remained his ball-resistant self in the center back against Getafe and kept his composure at all times. A line lower than he was used to until now, he has to take on more duels. How did that go?
“He mainly has the other two for that,” said Van Vaerenbergh. “Savic and Reinildo are players who instill fear. Witsel will never do that. I once saw him pull his head away when he had to defend with a cross. That’s why I don’t think he is an option in a defense with four.”
“I also expected Witsel to move into midfield more often, especially against a weaker opponent like Getafe. Simeone is a cautious trainer and that assignment apparently does not belong to the plan that Simeone has drawn up for Witsel.”
I had expected that Witsel would move more often to the midfield. Especially against a weaker opponent like Getafe.
After a match day, the conclusion is that we will probably be able to judge Witsel as a central defender for the entire season.
“The places in Atletico’s midfield are very expensive. A Koke-Witsel duo in the midfield would also have too little speed and verticality in my opinion for modern football.”
“I can’t look into Witsel’s head, but I do think that at 33 he is especially happy that he has a base place at a European top club, because at Dortmund it all went backwards.”
Yesterday it was exactly 100 days before the Red Devils played their first match at the World Cup in Qatar against Canada. A fit Witsel will be in the starting line-up. Curious in which position?
If you want to discover more about the new season in the Primera Division, listen to the weekly podcast of Michael Van Vaerenbergh Croqueta.
Witsel already speaks quite a bit of Spanish
