“Simeone is one of the best coaches in the world and one of the reasons why I’m here”
MADRID, 13 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, a new Atlético de Madrid player, assured this Wednesday that he chose the rojiblanco club because he wants to “make the most of” his “last years” at the “highest level”, while acknowledging that Diego Pablo Simeone was “one of the reasons” that helped him sign for the Madrid team.
“I chose Atlético de Madrid because I wanted to continue at the highest level, I want to make the most of my last years playing at the highest level and Atleti is one of those clubs that are at the highest level”, said Witsel during his presentation as a new footballer Atletico in an act at the Wanda Metropolitano, where he has already posed with his new shirt and number ’20’.
The 33-year-old Belgian was “very proud” of reinforcing the red-and-white squad and putting himself under the orders of ‘Cholo’ Simeone, “one of the best coaches in the world.” “It’s been one of the reasons why I’m at Atlético. I haven’t been able to talk much with him, but I’m very proud to work with him. You can always learn something and I’ll learn a lot with him”, he celebrated.
“I feel very good, I think my role will be like in the national team, as a ‘6’ defensive midfielder. That is, to bring the balance of the team, cut off counterattacks, a role similar to the one I have with Belgium”, he commented on what the Argentine coach expects of him.
Witsel, with extensive experience in European football and former Standard Liège, Benfica, Zenit, Tianjin Tianhai and Borussia Dortmund, said that Atlético’s squad is “the highest quality” of his entire career.
“It is difficult to choose one, there is a group with a lot of quality, I could say many players: Koke, Carrasco, Griezmann… There is a group with a lot of quality, there is a good mentality in the locker room, wanting to work and that is important”, he pointed out the footballer, who also confessed that his first days of preseason have been “hard” due to the physical demands of training. “We trained very hard, but it has to be hard to be ready for the championship,” he added.
Despite this, he applauded the “warm welcome” of his colleagues since his arrival. “They have welcomed me very well, the first few days have really gone very well, the players are very good to me, they are very nice, they make things easier for me,” said Witsel, who acknowledged that he “wanted” to experience the “hot” atmosphere of the Metropolitan.
CEREZO: “HE WILL DEFEND ATLETI’S COLORS WITH COMMITMENT AND PASSION”
During the act, the Atletico president highlighted the “experience” of the midfielder, who will provide “greater competitiveness in midfield.” “We opened the doors of the club to a soccer player with enormous quality and talent. His experience will help young people take an example from his stripes,” he said.
“He will defend the colors of our club with effort, commitment and passion,” he asserted. “A demanding season awaits you, I wish you the best of luck in this new stage,” he addressed the midfielder.