Zenit St. Petersburg showed great team spirit in their 3-2 Champions League defeat to AC Milan and were unlucky to lose, Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel said Wednesday.
Witsel, a €40 million signing from Benfica last month, played 90 minutes in his second game for the Russian champions, who came back from 2-0 down only to lose to a late own goal from Tomas Hubocan.
“Milan scored two goals against us but we were able to get back into the game and showed everyone, what the team is,” Witsel said.
“We didn’t have enough luck.”
Zenit have no points after two group stage games, making their upcoming home game against Anderlecht a must-win fixture, Witsel said.
“We absolutely must win our next Champions League match, and then we’ll see what the situation is.”
Despite rifts at Zenit, with midfielder Igor Denisov sent to the reserves last month after arguing with management over the wages paid to Witsel and fellow new signing Hulk, the Belgian said he felt welcome at the club.
“I feel confident in the team, I’ve got good relationships with everyone, both in the dressing room and on the field,” he said.
Witsel already has 31 caps for Belgium at the age of 23 and has scored five times for his country.
