Axel Witsel traded Borussia Dortmund for Atletico Madrid this summer and has not missed his start there.
Witsel was deployed as a central defender and was promptly voted player of the month.
“I feel good mentally and physically,” he said about his first months in Madrid the day before the Nations League match against Wales.
“The preparation was very tough. It reminded me of the period under Laszlo Bölöni at Standard.”
“Because of the injuries I had to break down in our defense and as a midfielder I add something else. I like the build-up from the back.”
But Witsel does not want to stick to that line. “No, I haven’t talked to the coach about it yet, but Diego Simeone knows that’s not my position.”
As usual, he wants to be higher on the field at Atletico Madrid, but perhaps Witsel can be put on the defensive at the Red Devils.
“I’m a number 6,” he chuckled. “A midfielder. Although you never know when there are problems.”
“No, I didn’t surprise myself,” he said of his flawless transition after a difficult season at Dortmund.
“I actually played quite a lot during my last contract year.”
A return to Belgium was certainly not on the table this summer. “No, that was not in my head. I still want to play the Champions League.”
