The sprain suffered by Antoine Griezmann on Tuesday evening is a partly mysterious subject on the side of Atlético de Madrid. And a big uncertainty for the France team.
There was a bit of a breakdown in the ranks of the French internationals last Tuesday. At a time when Inter Milan and Atlético de Madrid faced each other in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, Marcus Thuram first went out with an injury on the Milan side, before Antoine Griezmann was forced in turn to return to the locker room, victim of a sprain. Since then, Atlético de Madrid has not communicated clearly on the duration of unavailability of its emblematic player. And Diego Simeone’s speech this Friday did not provide much further clarification.
Replaced in the seventy-eighth minute of play Tuesday evening at Giuseppe Meazza, “Grizou” therefore suffered from a sprained right ankle. If the stage of his injury was described as “ moderate », difficult for the moment to know more. Medically, this moderate stage involves a rest period of four to six weeks. Hugely used by Simeone, the Frenchman will however be preserved with the greatest vigilance. On this point at least, the coach of Colchoneros was clear this Friday to the press, on the eve of the move of his troops to the Almeria pitch (9 p.m., 26th day of La Liga).
Delivered in time for Germany?
“ We will not force it with Griezmann. He will only come back when he is better. » Reassuring words from the tactician who insisted on the caution to be taken regarding a player of international importance. “ We are not forcing any player and we need the best Griezmann. » No Antoine Griezmann on the Spanish lawns this weekend, and perhaps no more on February 29 in the Copa del Rey, during the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
As for the future, it is currently impossible to know more. One thing is certain, Didier Deschamps hopes that his player will indeed be preserved by Atlético, especially as a new international window approaches with two friendly matches to be played against Germany (March 23) and Chile (March 26). Will Antoine Griezmann be recovered and fully operational? While optimism obviously remains in order, uncertainty also remains present.
