Griezmann in tough spot as Barcelona struggle to retain title

Antoine Griezmann arrived on the Camp Nou final 12 months anticipating to finish an intimidating attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. One 12 months later, the World Cup champion from France can barely get on the sphere as Barcelona attempt to defend their Spanish league title.

Griezmann was ignored of the beginning line-up for the second straight sport on Tuesday when Barcelona hosted Atlético Madrid, the Frenchman’s former membership, in a sport it wanted to win to remain neck-to-neck with league chief Real Madrid. Instead, Barcelona coach Quique Setien opted to begin 20-year-old midfielder Riqui Puig as a fourth midfielder.

After having Griezmann warming up on the sideline for many of the second half, Setien despatched him on within the 90th minute though his crew had conceded an equalizer practically half an hour earlier than. No miracle purpose got here, and the 2-2 draw left Barcelona one level behind Madrid, which may open a four-point lead with 5 video games remaining if it beats Getafe on Thursday. Madrid additionally holds the tiebreaker in the event that they end even on factors.

“It’s true that it’s not normal for a world champion to be brought on so late in the match. It can be hard for a player of his class, but the circumstances called for it,” Setien mentioned. “You always hope that a player of his talent can win the game for you with an individual action. But I understand it is hard for him. Tomorrow I will speak to him about it. I won’t apologize, but I understand he may feel bad about it. I feel bad about it because he is a great player and person.”

In July 2019, Barcelona paid 120 million euros (then $134 million) to set off the buyout clause in Griezmann’s contract with Atlético, the place he had emerged as certainly one of Europe’s prime forwards. In his 5 seasons at Atletico, he scored 133 targets and helped the crew win a Europa League title, a Spanish Super Cup and a UEFA Super Cup.

The thought was that Griezmann may lastly fill the void left by Neymar up entrance when he bolted for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. That value was thought-about a very good deal within the pre-pandemic market. Now, Barcelona is confronted being saddled with a second main signing in a row that has flopped. Barcelona paid a membership report 160 million euros ($192 million) for Philippe Coutinho in 2018, solely to ship him out on mortgage a 12 months and a half later.

Griezmann began off the season nicely sufficient, scoring eight targets earlier than the winter break. But his numbers began to dwindle and he has but to attain for the reason that resumption of the league after a three-month stoppage attributable to the coronavirus pandemic.

As his purpose manufacturing has decreased, so have his minutes. He has solely began two of 5 matches for the reason that restart of the competitors, and he isn’t being counted on for video games towards main rivals, enjoying solely 11 minutes in a 0-Zero draw towards Sevilla.

Setien has as a substitute chosen Puig, 17-year-old Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite over Griezmann. Barcelona now wants Madrid to slide up and enhance its personal performances to win a 3rd straight league title. The query is whether or not Griezmann is usually a piece of that comeback plan.