Griezmann silencing Atleti critics with stunning form - to Barca's cost
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 8 Nov 2021 19:44 GMT
- 5 min read
When Atletico Madrid re-signed Antoine Griezmann on loan from Barcelona in August, it was a deal greeted with distrust from the capital side’s fans.
Griezmann had departed Atleti in 2019 under a cloud, his reputation undermined by his very public posturing over the deal a year previous, when he had revealed his decision in a television show that proved a universally unpopular publicity stunt.
Of course, it all went wrong at Barca for Griezmann, who never found space in his favoured role and ultimately proved an expensive flop.
Diego Simeone, though, was desperate to have Griezmann back in his ranks at the Wanda Metropolitano and took advantage of Barcelona’s financial issues to force a move through very lead on Deadline Day.
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Griezmann's Atleti turnaround
Initially, the move threatened to be a disaster. Griezmann was jeered on his return to the club while his form was unimpressive.
Deployed in a variety roles across the forward line, Griezmann failed to register a goal or an assist in his first five games for the clubs.
The turnaround started, though, when he came off the bench to instigate a late turnaround against Milan in the Champions League.
Two more followed in the next European match against Liverpool, although that was cut short by a red card early in the second half that ultimately proved fatal for Simeone’s men as they lost out 3-2 at home. The fans, though, were impressed. Griezmann was clapped off the field for what was considered a harsh dismissal.
And he has used these performances domestically to create a springboard to far better times.
The last three La Liga games have yielded two goals and an assist, and though his strike at the weekend was not enough to help Atletico Madrid to a victory, it did help Griezmann win more of his critics over.
“The Frenchman played a fantastic game. That's why he came back. That's why Simeone did everything to make him come back,” AS wrote following the Valencia game.
Still, all is not perfect. If Griezmann is linking well with Koke, Angel Correa and Rodrigo De Paul, his understanding with Joao Felix is not there yet. The signs, though, are broadly positive.
If Griezmann continues to improve, Atletico Madrid’s level will surely rise sufficiently to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football next season – and that may just be at the expensive of Barcelona, whose nightmare with the Frenchman would continue.
