Antoine Griezmann recently found himself in an unusual role at Atlético Madrid. Coach Diego Simeone is patient, but the ravages of time also gnaws on the 34-year-old.
It already has something of goddom at Atlético Madrid. And just a few minutes after Antoine Griezmann took his unusual place on the bench, his representative Alexander Sörloth and his lightning gate justified his starting point in the second minute.
Griezmann had to wait an hour on Thursday. In the final phase, the 34-year-old also provided the proof that he can still be a crucial factor.
Antoine Griezmann was recently only a replacement at Atlético
With a perfectly timed steep pass, the offensive star prepared the goal of Julian Álvarez (77th) for the 3-0 final score in the small derby against Rayo Vallecano. It was Griezmann’s first goal participation in La Liga since February 22nd.
Simeone with special praise for Griezmann
“Antoine came into play and initiated the move that decided the game,” said coach Diego Simeone after his protégé. “He played a very decent game, like his other teammates.”
But it is unmistakable that Griezmann continues to run after his shape. In the first half of the season, the offensive star was still undisputed top performers. Was a guarantee of success for the Rojiblancos with eleven goals and six assists in La Liga and in the Champions League.
However, his accuracy has significantly reduced at the turn of the year. In this calendar year, only two goals were added to RCD Mallorca (2-0) in the early game of the league in Salzburg and in the league in the last game of the league in Salzburg and in the league. Most recently, he was successful in the wild 4: 4 in the semi-final first leg in the Copa del Rey against FC Barcelona.
“His influence on the game has significantly decreased”
“It cannot be overlooked that the Frenchman is far from its best form,” said Mundo Deportivo these days. “His influence on the game has decreased significantly.”
With 197 goals, Griezmann is a record scorer of the club, but the way to the magical brand of 200 goals seems to be continuing. Already at the last league game in Las Palmas (0-1) Simeone initially only left the offensive star on the bench and only substituted in the 65th minute.
Already in winter he had dispensed with Griezmann in the starting eleven in two subsequent league games. Otherwise a rarity. Because recently he was only Joker several times in a row at the beginning of the season 2022/23.
Earlier joker missions had strange background
At that time, however, his regular substitutions from about an hour of play had a curious background.
Because allegedly, with a certain number of minutes of play, a purchase obligation of 40 million euros would have taken for Griezmann, who had initially returned to Madrid in 2021 after his failed adventure at FC Barcelona. With the firm commitment in autumn 2022, Atlético ended this theater.
“The ravages of time spared no one”
New unrest could now arise in connection with its reservist existence. “The ravages of time don’t spare anyone, not even Griezmann,” wrote Marca this week.
However, Simeone has not yet written off the French world champion in 2018. After the victory against Rayo, the Atlético coach asked for patience: “To restore the best version of Griezmann, you need time and calm.”
And Simeone emphasized: “I have no doubt that he will find his best form again. I don’t know whether now at the club World Cup or next season, but he still has a lot to give us.”