“I’m lucky to have a player like Griezmann,” says Diego Simeone

2023-11-08 10:58:56

Author of a double and decisive on another goal, Antoine Griezmann allowed Atlético Madrid to take the lead in Group E by correcting Celtic Glasgow (6-0) Tuesday at the Metropolitano during the fourth day of the Champions League . Positioned at the heart of the game in a more remote position, as in the French team, Griezmann, 32, took care of everything, offering more control to Diego Simeone’s team in a new demonstration of his versatility.

“I had no doubt, when some did not want him to return, about the fact that he was born to play for Atlético, salutes under the spell of the coach. He left, followed his path and managed to turn things around. He’s hungry, he projects towards goal, he understands what’s expected of him when he plays in midfield, he gives assists… I’m lucky to have a player like Griezmann. There is no doubt that he will be one of the best players in the club’s history. He reads the game to bring balance and compensation for the whole team. »

5 goals away from Aragones’ record

The 2018 world champion gave his team a perfect start by opening the scoring with a cross shot from the left from 16 meters (6th). It was Griezmann the passer who subsequently allowed the Colchoneros to take cover, the N.7 depositing a cross of more than 35 meters on the head of Gimenez, who saved for Morata, the Spaniard throwing himself to score from close range (47th). On a blocked cross from Llorente, who came into play at half-time, the French striker flew to score a double with a superb acrobatic recovery (60th, 3-0), before leaving to the applause of the Metropolitano.

“Like today (Tuesday) I played midfielder, I try to do what a midfielder does: catch balls, make passes, arrive in the opponent’s area,” slips the Frenchman. Regardless of my positioning, I try to put myself in midfield mode if I am a midfielder, attacking if I am an attacker. I watch a lot of football to learn two or three movements that need to be done and then imbue it with my sauce, so here I am with full confidence, I’m enjoying being here enormously so we have to continue. »

Particularly prolific last season (16 goals, 19 assists in 48 matches), the French international (124 caps, 44 goals) is off to a good start with already 11 goals in 15 club matches in all competitions. With his 167th and 168th goals for Atlético, he is only five goals behind the top scorer in the club’s history, Luis Aragones (173).