After a memorable victory in the Champions League on Tuesday night and with Real Madrid just around the corner, Griezmann knows that the pressure is on to maintain this level of performance.
Griezmann needs to give his all on the pitch and be a good example on and off that
Now settled back in at Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann seems to be returning to his full potential under Diego Simeone, and it’s clear to see that he is as motivated as ever at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. After a memorable victory in the Champions League on Tuesday night and with Real Madrid just around the corner, Griezmann knows that the pressure is on to maintain this level of performance. “I have to carry on like this; it’s only the start. I came with a lot of motivation; I need to give my all on the pitch and be a good example on and off it,” Griezmann told reporters. “I found it difficult at first because it’s completely different physically, tactically, with new teammates who have to get to know me, and I have to get to know them.”
The Frenchman’s ‘heroics’ in Porto
“I try to read games the best possible way, what my teammates need, and now it seems that we’re on the right path, and I hope that carries on.” It comes after his heroics in Porto. He opened the scoring to give Atletico the lead as they progressed in the Champions League, unlike his parent club, Barcelona, who were eliminated. “I was surprised because they’ve always been there, there have been changes, Leo Messi has left, a lot of coaching changes, but you have to be patient and believe in your team,” the Frenchman said of Barcelona’s demise in Europe. Next up for Atletico is a Madrid derby with it all to play for as Real Madrid begin to stretch out a lead at the top of the LaLiga table.
“Vinicius is playing very well, at an extraordinary level, Karim Benzema is very good at the club, and for his country, in the end, we want the best plays on the pitch, and it’d be a shame if they don’t make it,” Griezmann said, given the injury doubts surrounding Benzema. “I think they have players on the bench that mean they can play a perfect eleven for this game, and we’ll stick to our own game. The league is very long, we’re in December, and there are many games to be played; anything can happen because we know what football is like.” Griezmann is expected to start for Atletico and will be looking to add to his seven goals scored since returning to the Spanish capital from Barcelona.