WHY is the defensive midfielder so important yet so unloved? | Axel Witsel

The defensive midfielder, known as the 6er in Germany, does the dirty work but gets little credit for it. Borussia Dortmund and Belgium's Axel Witsel is one of the best in the business. But just think of stars like N'Golo Kante or the silky skills of Andrea Pirlo. Defensive midfield can be cool! In STARTELF (starting 11 in German), we examine one of the most underappreciated roles in football.

Report by Danya Barsalona
Camera: Manuel Vering
Editing: David Jacobi

▸ subscribe:

▸ help us create subtitles:

▸ our channel:



More football stories here:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Website:

DW Kick Off,Kick Off,Kickoffexplainer,La liga,bayern,real madrid,manchester,Bundesliga,Dortmund,Borussia Dortmund,BVB,Witsel,Axel Witsel,Belgium,tactics,football,explainer,defensive midfielder,cdm,defensive mid,holding midfielder,holding mid,danya's on fire,belgian national football team,belgian national team,deep lying midfielder,destroyer,champions league,UCL,tactical analysis,how to,soccer,premier league,german football,