Page 38 - Soccer360 Issue 105

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN SPOTLIGHT
LEFT:
Antoine Griezmann netted against
Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana to become Atletico’s record goalscorer
BOTTOM:
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul of Atletico de Madrid during Real Madrid vs At. Madrid La Liga match
2022-23 season, Barcelona eventually came to the table for a deal and he went full circle back to the Spanish capital, where he’s taken his personal achievements to a new level and become a truly omnipotent force.
That firmness over Simeone’s belief that Griezmann could once again be the creative catalyst for his Atletico team inspired the former Real Sociedad attacker to seize his chance. Slowly, but surely, even hardcore Atletico fans have come back on side, as Griezmann has run miles and scored goals to win back their love.
The determined humility shown by Griezmann since coming back to Madrid
has also edged into his play with Simeone looking to mirror France national team coach Didier Deschamps’ plan for him. Injuries in France’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad forced a reshuffle with Griezmann redeployed as an attacking midfielder in Qatar, behind what was still a fearsome front three led by the magnificent Kylian Mbappe. Circumstance forced the changes, but the result unlocked a new level from Griezmann. In helping Les Bleus to the final where they came within a penalty shootout of retaining their crown, he was unquestionably one of the players of the tournament, oozing class
whenever he had the ball at his feet with his coolness in possession and the incisiveness of his short passing and long passing. Off the ball, his work rate was exceptional, and he would have gained even more recognition were it not for the focus on Mbappe and Argentina star Messi.
Simeone has been one of the main beneficiaries of Deschamps’ decision to switch Griezmann into midfield, as he has taken to playing in this role regularly for Atletico, and the idea of the 32-year-old maybe flying just under the radar is typified by his willingness to play there when needed for club and country.
His work rate is unmatched; a tireless
presser and strong tackler, he sets the tone to allow the pace and directness around him to power forward. Despite not slacking off
in his goal output, Griezmann is revelling in his creator-in-chief position for Simeone, popping up in spaces and conducting Atletico Madrid’s forward line.
After returning from the World Cup, he ended 2022-23 with 15 La Liga goals, and even more impressively, 16 league assists. Meanwhile the 2023-24 campaign has seen Simeone nudge him back into a conventional front two, alongside his old pal Alvaro
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