It was the stainless, “Ironman” Antoine Griezmann.
Until a "
right thigh injury
", according to his club Atlético de Madrid, during the derby against Real on December 12 (2-0 defeat).
The French striker returned to competition on January 6, in the King's Cup, against Majadahonda.
He played 34 minutes, the time to score a goal and relapse, before leaving in tears.
To discover
Champions League fixtures and results
SEE ALSO –
Griezmann's goal against Majadahonda in the 16th final of the King's Cup last January (0-5)
The severity of the injury was mild, but the word '
infirmary
' is not part of Griezmann's vocabulary.
“
It's the first time that I have stayed so long on the floor,
he breathed after his return against Celta Vigo on February 26 (2-0).
The worst part was not being able to help the team.
Not being able to enjoy football, the ball.
It was all new to me.
It was a mixture of sadness and fear.
In short, anxiety.
Fed by an ambivalent season, started in diesel mode.
Acceleration and assist for Lemar 2 weeks ago
His reunion with Atlético, on the gong of the last summer transfer window, buried his painful time at FC Barcelona.
In the first matches, it was a less sharp Griezmann and further from the surface that his coach, Diego Simeone, saw.
Then there was the ramp-up.
Until October 31 against Betis (3-0), where Simeone shared his joy at having "
found the Griezmann of always
".
“
It is clear that before the injury he was doing very well
,” added the Argentinian technician in January.
"Whatever the needs of the team and the coach, they know that I will always be there to give the maximum, whether it is for 5, 20 or 60 minutes.
»
Antoine Griezmann
This Griezmann who is doing well is the one who does not spare his defensive efforts, who can play at least an hour and who keeps his lucidity and his address, by dribbling, passing or finishing, in the last meters.
Like an overflow on the right side on the lawn of Betis (decidedly), on March 6.
Starting almost from the center line, Griezmann traveled 40 meters with the ball before offering a goal to his compatriot, Thomas Lemar (1-3).
"
Whatever the needs of the team and the coach, they know that I will always be there to give the maximum, whether for 5, 20 or 60 minutes
", spread the world champion, who will celebrate his 31st birthday this Monday.
On the bench against Manchester United?
From there to say that Griezmann has returned to his best level, there is much more than one step.
Against Cadiz on Friday (2-1), Griezmann was transparent (25 balls hit, 10 lost, 0 shots, 0 passes before a shot).
Please wait.
“
He was absent for a long time,
defended Simeone.
He did pretty well defensively.
We didn't attack, not because of him but because of everyone.
He is a very important player.
The presence of Griezmann gives headaches to Simeone, who still has doubts about the attacking duo who must compose their traditional 4-4-2.
With 5 goals in his last 5 matches, including one against Manchester United in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (1-1), João Félix, recruited for 127 M€ in the summer of 2019, seems – finally – indisputable.
Just like Angel Correa, the team's top scorer this season (12 goals in 38 matches).
It was in them that Simeone placed his trust against Manchester, in the first leg.
At Old Trafford on Tuesday, it should be the same.
Luis Suarez (35) is only expected to come off the bench if necessary, while Brazil international Matheus Cunha was cut short by a sprained right knee in February.
In other words, Griezmann places himself as the third option, that of the “supersub”, even of the X factor.
Read alsoAntony, Gravenberch, Mazraoui ... Ajax Amsterdam, an inexhaustible nugget factory
It was to find pleasure that Griezmann returned to Atlético, where he exploded in the eyes of the world between 2014 and 2019. To win, too.
It will surely not be La Liga, where the Colchoneros are only 4th.
Could it be the Champions League?
Rumors are rife about the future of Diego Simeone, who has been on the same bench since 2011. "
It's thanks to him that the club is at this level and you have to take advantage of a coach like that,
said insurgent Griezmann.
He made me the player I am today.
We have to give back to him on the pitch what he gives us.
Putting an end to Simeone's curse against Cristiano Ronaldo, and thus bringing an uppercut to the Mancunian sports project, would be a nice way to thank him.