A few weeks after the announcement of his international retirement, he, the legend of Didier Deschamps’ French team, Antoine Griezmann was perhaps more motivated by the idea of shining during the visit of a Ligue 1 club in the lair of Atlético, Wednesday in the Champions League (4th day). The 33-year-old was in great shape! Diego Simeone always offers him so much freedom on the pitch in order to make a difference. “Grizi” was the free electron of the Colchoneros and not the right winger of his team’s 4-3-3.
The 2018 world champion could have been decisive on several occasions (he ended up with two shots off target, 4 key passes and two big chances created). This was without counting the catastrophic performance of Atléti’s starting center forward, Alexander Sorloth. Griezmann notably put the Norwegian colossus (1.95 m) into orbit twice (21st and 32nd) and the number 9 recruited last summer for 35 million euros lacked lucidity each time in front of Lucas Chevalier.
Griezmann with Julian Alvarez?
Atlético’s defeat against Losc at home (1-3) suddenly raises questions about Sorloth’s presence in the team. Author of 23 goals with Villarreal last season, the former player of Crystal Palace, Trabzonspor or Leipzig is certainly more adept at taking back crosses than at playing rapid attacks under the orders of Diego Simeone. The inspirations of Antoine Griezmann could further delight Julian Alvarez if the Argentine striker is chosen to play up front. Sorloth would then make an excellent joker depending on the situation.
Unable to drive the point home after Alvarez opened the scoring (8th), the “Cholo” players were overthrown in the second half by the Mastiffs, winners 3-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano thanks to a superb equalizer from Edon Zhegrova (61st) and a double from Jonathan David who entered on the hour mark (74th sp, 89th).
