Football BaBe
De Bruyne and Modric Poised to Dominate Serie A: Insights from Axel Witsel
As the new Serie A season approaches, anticipation builds around the arrivals of midfield maestros Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric, with veteran star Axel Witsel sharing his excitement and predictions. These high-profile transfers promise to elevate the Italian league’s competitiveness, blending experience with proven talent.
- Witsel discusses Italian top flight
- Belgian star thrilled to see Modric and De Bruyne compete in Serie A
- Predicts Napoli as top contenders for another Scudetto
Witsel’s Take on Serie A Newcomers De Bruyne and Modric
Currently without a club following the end of his deal with Atletico Madrid, Axel Witsel is buzzing about the prospect of witnessing elite talents like Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne dominating the Italian league. He believes his fellow Belgian could emerge as the top central player in the division, provided the veteran Croatian doesn’t steal the spotlight with his enduring brilliance.
Modric and De Bruyne are both entering Serie A on free transfers after their stints at Real Madrid and Manchester City concluded. These players have been pivotal figures in European football, clashing in high-stakes matches across the Champions League and international tournaments. Now, they’re set to infuse their expertise and creativity into Italy’s premier competition, with Modric linking up with AC Milan and De Bruyne joining the title holders Napoli.
Quotes from Witsel’s Interview with Italian Media
In a conversation with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Witsel remarked: “AC Milan’s smart move to bring in the experienced 39-year-old Modric, and Napoli’s choice of the 34-year-old De Bruyne, isn’t random. These are true superstars who had options elsewhere, yet their picks make sense, and I’m inspired to follow suit.”
“De Bruyne must adjust to Antonio Conte’s system at Napoli, which differs from Manchester City’s approach. Still, as a true elite performer, he’ll rise as Serie A’s leading midfielder-unless Modric intervenes. Luka’s passion for the game remains unmatched; he’ll drive AC Milan under Massimiliano Allegri. De Bruyne’s skills are unmatched, and I foresee him delivering at least 10 strikes and 15 key passes in his new home. He and Lukaku won’t even need words on the field; their synergy from early Belgian national team days means a simple look conveys everything.”
Napoli’s Edge in the Serie A Title Race According to Witsel
Discussing the battle for the championship, the Belgian veteran continued: “Napoli stand out as the prime candidates. As current title winners, they’re guided by a proven tactician like Conte. Lukaku brings reliability, and their squad has been bolstered significantly. Signing De Bruyne is a masterstroke-he’s nowhere near retirement. Imagine lining up in Serie A alongside him, Romelu, Modric, and even Dzeko; that would be incredible.”
To add context, recent seasons have shown Napoli’s strength, with their 2023 Scudetto win highlighting tactical prowess. With De Bruyne’s 2024 Premier League stats-including 4 goals and 10 assists in limited play due to injury-his full fitness could push those numbers higher, potentially rivaling Modric’s consistent output of over 80% pass accuracy in La Liga last term.
Witsel’s Future Ambitions and Serie A Appeal
In the same discussion, the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Atletico player opened up about his next steps.
When questioned about potential moves to Saudi clubs, he responded: “In this sport, nothing is off the table. That said, my main goal is to stay competitive in one of Europe’s top divisions. Serie A draws me in with its strategic depth and elite standards.”
