Club career Axel Witsel
1 club career 1.1 standard liège 1.2 benfica 1.3 zenit saint petersburg 1.4 tianjin quanjian club career standard liège on 17 september 2006, 17-year-old witsel made debut standard liège during competitive game against fc brussels when replaced steven defour in 89th minute. eleven days later, made european debut substitute. during 2007–08 season, @ 18 years of age, key member in squad of standard liège, winners of belgian league title year. during year, formed young midfield other belgian talents defour , marouane fellaini. in following season, scored winning goal penalty spot in two-legged playoff decide championship. on 30 august 2009, witsel sparked controversy when broke marcin wasilewski s leg stamping on ankle during match between anderlecht , standard. following tackle, witsel protested red card, claiming accident without intent, before being sent off pitch. apologised, subject of criticism several media outlets , numerous death threats angry anderlecht , poland fans. initial ba...