By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- When fans search for the reasons behind Borussia Dortmund's current success, the name of Axel Witsel is rarely mentioned. Like every football lover around the globe, the Black and Yellow supporters are talking about the goal festivals served up by their heroes like Paco Alcacer (10 goals/8 games), German international Marco Reus (8/13) or Jadon Sancho (4/13). Coach Lucien Favre has been highly praised for his offensive style leading to 37 goals in 13 games.
But is this the real reason behind Dortmund's success this season?
Favre has never been a proponent of all-out attacking football. The Swiss is more concerned with safety first. A solid defensive structure from the back four to the midfield is Favre's main focus.
And this is where Witsel comes into the equation. Bought in the close season from Tianjin Quanjian FC, analysts and pundits are agreed that the Belgian made big steps in his development whilst playing in China's Super League.
In Dortmund, the international midfielder has only scored one league goal this season. But in advance of the club's vital local derby against arch rivals FC Schalke 04 this Saturday, it is becoming increasingly evident that Witsel is a major source of inspiration behind the table-topper's game.
The 29-year-old 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 in Belgium at Standard Liege, Witsel was what you in football call a "ten" working immediately behind the front line. 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.
In China, the Hamburg based news magazine "Spiegel" analyzed, Witsel took the last step to becoming a world class player. 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.
The Munich based Sueddeutsche called him a natural authority.
In Dortmund, Witsel is said to be benefiting from his season in China (2017-2018) as he has acquired the ability to run a game. Technical skills, gained in defensive midfield and robustness, won in the offensive midfield, make him a reliable performer. Witsel is a non-stop running machine.
He is Dortmund's powerful engine, but far from being a playmaker of the quality of Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona) or Thiago (Bayern Munich). Witsel's is highly effective in a deeper position initiating Dortmund's attacking forays.
He is the team's heart said Borussia's advisor and former German international Matthias Sammer adding Witsel was Dortmund's most significant deal last summer.
In addition, the Belgian is said to be his coach's policeman shoring up the defense while his teammates go forward in the search of goals.
"He's outstanding and a leader," commented Hans-Joachim Watzke. The Dortmund CEO called Witsel a man with an extraordinary aura. "When he enters a room everybody looks up," Watzke emphasized.
