Witsel returns to Dortmund after six months: ‘I feel like a newcomer’ | Bundesliga

In January, Axel Witsel tore his Achilles tendon, marking the end of his season in Dortmund. After a difficult rehabilitation, the Red Devil was able to play for the first time in the European Championships with the Belgians.

After 6 months of absence, he can now get his yellow-black Dortmund clothes from the wardrobe. Yesterday Witsel joined the group on an internship in Switzerland. “It’s been so long,” he said upon arrival. “I feel a little bit like a newcomer.”

“I haven’t seen my teammates for 6 months, so I am really happy to be back. Most importantly, I feel really good. It was a tough period. I had to work hard to get fit for the EC. Fortunately I was able to play 4 games without pain” .

Witsel has to impress a new coach this season: Marco Rose has moved from Borussia Mönchengladbach. “We’ve talked quite a bit already, but I haven’t trained yet,” Witsel said.

The Red Devil has to deal with a lot of competition in midfield. “You always have to fight to be in the starting lineup, that’s the beauty of football,” Witsel remains sober. If necessary, he wants to take a stab in the ass. “Everyone knows that I prefer playing as a defensive midfielder, but if we don’t have enough defenders, I will help the team.”

Dortmund will start the competition against Eintracht Frankfurt in two weeks. “We have to play at the same level for a whole season and then we can achieve more than last season,” Witsel concluded.