By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- To talk about titles is a logical result of the achievements made last season said Belgian international Axel Witsel while attending a pre-season training camp with Borussia Dortmund in Bad Ragaz in Switzerland.
"There can't be any other goal than to win a title," the former Chinese Super League performer told Xinhua in a recent interview.
The Blacks and Yellows were agonizingly close to lifting the German Championship trophy last season after missing out by only two points, despite leading the national league title race for the majority of the campaign.
In the end, Borussia had gambled away a nine-point advantage over Bayern Munich at one stage.
The 2018/2019 has been a success for the newly formed team as the 30-year-old commented. "We can't hide, and we shouldn't belittle ourselves. The only conclusion is to talk about the title as the team's quality grew enormously," the midfielder underlined.
Witsel wasn't only talking about the national Championship but also international achievements in the Champions League. Dortmund might not be the big favorites as "we still have outstanding outfits like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City competing."
But Witsel recalled the courageous performances of underdogs such as Ajax or Tottenham last season with both teams reaching the semi-final of the Champions League. "A similar success is always possible if you can count on a healthy team-spirit as we do. Who expected Tottenham in the final?"
Witsel mentioned the team's increased quality "as we have several leaders around. No team can have too many of them."
He revealed his joy at the return of Mats Hummels, after admitting that their playing styles complement each other nicely. Liege-born Witsel is confident that the addition of the 2014 World Cup winner has strengthened his side.
Witsel called Hummels "a true leader," adding that a positive effect is visible in every training session and test matches.
"It's easy for us to play with him. He's technically on a high level. I can play the ball to him in any situation." Hummels will not only improve Borussia's performance in the back but in the opponents' box "as he is always in for a dangerous header."
Witsel is convinced to have developed in "my first year in Dortmund" as he successfully adapted the growing demands of one of Europe's leading teams.
"It took a while for me to get used to playing every three to four days," Witsel said adding that he is still benefitting from his leading role in his former Chinese team of Tianjin Quanjian.
He spoke about a great year in China, "as I always loved to travel and am still interested in other cultures and countries." He emphasized how "happy my family and friends were when I returned to Europe as I was far away."
In China, several German media have noted, Witsel took the last step to becoming a world-class player. The Spiegel assumed he was offered more space as midfield intensity isn't as high as in Europe and learned how to develop a convincing combination of defensive and attacking qualities. And he learned to take responsibility for his team.
"Well, I am 30 and played in Portugal, Russia and China, and the national team. I guess I can provide some experience to younger players," Witsel said. "But I always positively talk about things," he says but is insisting on being far away from a "know-it-all."
The Munich based Sueddeutsche called him a natural authority.
The midfielder is the calm and collected leader is playing with almost somnambulistic certainty. 94 percent of his passes reach their goal; on average, he plays over 70 minutes per game.
When learning his trade at his home club Standard Liege, Witsel was what you in football call a "conductor" working immediately behind the front line as a "ten". Having to compensate for his physical disadvantages, Witsel moved further back in midfield using his technical skills to shape the game from a deeper position.
There, Dortmund's powerful engine seems to have found his perfect spot to win titles in his second year with the German side. "I can't tell you how much we want this title this season," he said.
