Now 35 years old, Axel Witsel can already tell himself that his career has not been like others. While he explodes at Standard de Liège, the Belgian midfielder has had five great seasons in his native country. But now, after an excellent 2011-2012 vintage with Benfica, the native of Liège chose to join Russia and Zenith Saint-Petersburg. Participating several times in the Champions League and finding a certain financial balance, the Belgian international (130 caps, 12 goals) flourished for five seasons in the west of Russia. But now, not shy of experiences different from others, Witsel was tempted by a 2017-2018 season in China with Tianjin Quanjian.
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But now, determined to rediscover the pressure of major European events, the latter offered himself his first experience in the five major championships in 2018 by joining Borussia Dortmund. Scoring in his first official match with the Marsupiaux, the 1m86 sentinel had four high-level seasons with the BVB. But you will have understood, the career of the Red Devil is not like that of the others. Leaving the Ruhr club free to go to Atlético de Madrid in the summer of 2022, Witsel experienced a small revolution upon arriving in the Iberian capital. Accustomed to playing in the midfield since his formative years, Diego Simeone installed him in central defense upon his arrival.
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Witsel’s warning to his teammates before the trip to Dortmund
And after a year of adaptation to this new position, Witsel is today irremovable in the 3-way hinge of the Colchoneros. Asked about this new role at a press conference last week, the Liégeois confirmed that he was fully in line with this profitable tactical choice: “the coach put me in this position when I arrived here and this year I feel more comfortable. I don’t worry about the position, but about playing. Thanks to the coach’s idea, I can extend my career a little at this level.» Appearing 45 times this season, the Belgian was masterful last week against his former club, Borussia Dortmund, in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League.
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But now, while the Matelassiers are only a small goal ahead of the BVB, doubt could settle in Madrid’s heads before the perilous trip which awaits them this Tuesday evening at Signal Iduna Park. Still present at a press conference this Monday on the occasion of this return match, Witsel also took the opportunity to warn his teammates of the hell that awaits them on the other side of the Rhine: “this kind of match is decided on details. We also have to be attentive on defense and play with personality. We have to show intensity, like we did at home in the first half. This is what will make the difference tomorrow. It’s not easy in this stadium, we have to start strong. The first fifteen minutes will be important.» Atlético de Madrid will be able to count on Axel Witsel in defense and who knows the German den very well.
Pub. 04/16/2024 3:00 p.m. Updated 04/16/2024 4:28 p.m.
2024-04-16 13:00:00
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