FC Barcelona overcame the bad run of results and returned to winning ways against an important and direct rival like Atlético de Madrid, the best team in recent months. The Blaugrana team competed well again and picked up the three points thanks to the result that they have repeated the most times this season, 1-0. Goal to zero and effectiveness in the areas; the match was even and open, but Ferran Torres’ goal tipped the balance in favor of Xavi Hernández’s men.
In the mattress set, solid and rocky as always, The figure of Antoine Griezmann stood out above the rest. The Frenchman delighted in the first minute with a sensational shot off the crossbar and, in the second half, he staged another crystal-clear chance with a spectacular backheel. In the vein of the great campaign that he is carrying out, he was the axis on which the entire game of Simeone’s team revolved. His football intelligence, his physical tone and his contribution with goals and assists make him a fundamental footballer for Atlético and the French team, runner-up in the world in Qatar. Without any doubt, the Frenchman is currently one of the players in the best shape on the planet.
In this context, I can’t find an answer to the following questions. What happened to Griezmann during his time at Barça? Why did the Blaugrana club pay so much money for him but, on the other hand, did they not give him all the confidence he needed? Why wasn’t he given the crack status he deserved for the high cost of his transfer? In addition, I also have the feeling, considering the figures that are handled today in the world of football, that the culé entity undersold Antoine. hA few months ago, 20 million euros were accepted for an unbalancing footballer, with a lot of talent and who in 2019 had come for 120 million. It is one of those cases that one does not quite understand.
It is true that the Frenchman landed in Barcelona at a time when the forward positions had names and surnames: Leo Messi, Luis Suárez and an Ousmane Dembélé whom the club wanted to promote for the future. He was left without a place, but I don’t think it was a matter of adaptation: Griezmann knows the League, he speaks the language and, due to his understanding of the game and intelligence, he can function in various offensive positions. At Atlético de Madrid he is shining as a midfielder, but he also performs well as a winger (with a changed leg) and in the center forward position. I will always be left wondering why he didn’t succeed at Barça. And more seeing the performance that he is offering since last year.
The League calendar is tightening
the truth hour has arrived. In the next 10 days, three days will be played that will determine both the teams with options to qualify for the European competitions and the lagging teams that will have to fight to avoid relegation. If it does not fail, Barça will be able to take out the calculator to see when they can sing the alirón.
The Euroleague play-off begins
Today also begins the decisive phase of the most prestigious tournament in continental basketball. Sarunas Jasikevicius’ Barça reaches the quarterfinals with good feelingsbut they will have to beat Zalgiris if they want to be in the ‘final four’ that the Zalgiris Arena in Kaunas, precisely, will host between May 19 and 21.