The last season of Antoine Griezmann at Atlético is likely to be long. As a reminder, when he had the opportunity to terminate his contract this summer to live his American dream by joining an MLS club, the top scorer in the history of the Cholchoneros decided to stay (especially for family reasons, his wife having given birth to a fourth child).
Extended until 2027, the 2018 world champion would have accepted, in addition to a salary reduction, a new lining status within the team of Diego Simeone. His second part of last season was indeed cataclysmic. And the idea is still to leave the Spanish capital during the 2026 off -season. “Grizi” is not part of the new project launched by “El Cholo” with XXL recruitment this summer (David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri, Johnny Cardoso, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada and Giacomo Raspadori all cost dear).
Griezmann, 34, was therefore satisfied with the sidelines during the first meeting of Atléti in Liga last weekend, for a 2-1 defeat. The former French international was launched in the 68th minute of the game and failed to save his team during two opportunities in additional time. Julian Alvarez had however launched Madrid visitors (37th), but the Barcelona host overthrew the situation in the 73rd and then in the 84th minute!
Sorho rather than Griezmann
Simeone lost Baena for several weeks during this trip to Catalonia, the attacking midfielder who was injured in adductors. Griezmann could have taken over the number 10 position occupied by the Spanish international behind Julian Alvarez, but it was Alexander Sorho who is aligned from the start for the second meeting against Elche, this Saturday at the Metropolitano (7:30 p.m.), as indicated by the Cadena Ser.
Sorloth had finished the Spanish season in cannonball with a quadrupled and a hat -trick in May. It makes a precious center forward while allowing Alvarez to evolve lower. Note that Raspadori is an attacker more right winger but who can also evolve in the attack duo. It won't allow much playing time to the veteran Antoine Griezmann.
