ANDyes, without a doubt one of the greatest feats of Simeone’s Atlético. Those 2016 quarterfinals against Bara from MSN who defended the Champions League title. As with Manchester City, the rojiblancos started from victims and had lost 2-1, curiously with a brace from Luis Surez, in the first leg. It was time to come back, it was the turn of the undisputed star of that Atlético, Antoine Griezmann.
And the French did not disappoint. Mark the 1-0 after assistance from Sal and closed the pass from 11 meters in which it has been one of the great European games of the red and white entity. So much so that that eleven that accompanied the Frenchman has remained in history and as an example of what Atlético now needs to come back: Oblak; Juanfran, Godn, Lucas, Filipe; Sal, Augusto, Gabi, Koke; Carrasco and Antoine.
Only four rojiblancos are still in the team but they may well show their companions the way. Headed by a Griezmann who has a great memory of that appointment… but who must turn his current situation around where he accumulates nine games in a row without seeing the door. Those played since he returned from the injury and subsequent relapse. Two months away that coincided with the team’s downturn and the loss of three of the four titles at stake.
Nothing better than the Champions, the only one left to fight, so that the now 8 is reunited with his best level. Their numbers in this tournament are within the expected, four goals and two assists, participating in 67% of the nine red-and-white goals in the tournament. He was key in the victories against Porto and Milan away from home and, in addition, a great match at Old Trafford highlighting his enormous waste on the green.
Koke, surrendered
Hence, Griezmann is expected to recover the decisive version that is costing him in this 2022 overshadowed in the scoring aspect for the irruption of the best Joao and also conditioned by a physique that does not look like the one of yesteryear. lacks freshness and it is rare the game in which Simeone does not replace him, against Mallorca he even did it at half-time.
But it is Cholo himself, his great supporter, who knows the importance of Antoine being key to coming back. He was it six years ago against the powerful MSN and it should be against a Manchester City that will manage the game again but he knows that Griezmann and company will create several occasions for him. The key will be to get it right and once again be the hero of a great comeback. For now, the captain Koke fully trusts him:”It is one of the best in the world. It is an important day for him and for everyone. Not only will he play. Antoine is calm and sure that he is up to the match.”
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