Zenit St Petersburg star Axel Witsel insists that Dundalk have put themselves on the European football map. The 27-year-old Belgium international – who scored against Ireland at the Euros – is ready to take on Stephen Kenny’s men in back-to-back Europa League matches.
Witsel said: “I didn’t know a lot about Dundalk before this season – but of course I have heard about them now with two matches against them coming up for Zenit. All I really knew about the club before was the name, and not too much else. But we are already studying them and how they have done in the Champions League qualifiers and then the first two matches in the Europa League. And like for any team in Europe, we will have our meetings and look at ways to win those games.
Witsel added: “I have heard that their budget for the whole team for the year is something like €1.5 million, but it would be a mistake to think it is only about the money. When the players go out on the pitch the money is not important, it is about how well you play, how well you prepare and execute the manager’s tactics on the day.
Anything can happen in football, as we know Zenit are a big club and we have very good players. We want to be top of the group in the Europa League and there can be no complacency against Dundalk. We will be very professional and do everything to get the results.”
