As Barcelona continues to regulate to life with out Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann sees his finest probability at a number one function on the Catalan membership.
Griezmann will play his a hundred and first match with Barcelona when the membership go to Athletic Bilbao within the second spherical of the Spanish league on Saturday. In Messi’s absence, the French striker lastly has the chance to play the lead and turn out to be a hero.
“I look forward to playing another 100 matches and will continue to give my all to make history with this club,” Griezmann mentioned. “I want to help the team on and off the field, attack and defend, and enjoy being at Barca.”
He had some vital performances when Messi was nonetheless within the squad, however when he signed from Atlético Madrid for €120 million in 2019, a yr after the Man of the Match within the World Cup remaining, he was fully excessive. Did not dwell as much as the expectations. gained by France.
The 30-year-old Griezmann, who has 35 objectives with Barcelona, ​​additionally performed a secondary function for Luis Suarez and children like Ousmane Dembele and Anu Fati. At instances, he wasn’t even a daily starter and was minutes off the bench.
They now have the competitors of Barcelona’s largest low season signing, Dutch worldwide Memphis Depay, however coach Ronald Koeman has already indicated that they won’t combat towards one another for a beginning spot. Koeman mentioned after the president that he “liked the connection” between Griezmann and Depay.
Both did nicely within the crew’s 4–2 opening win towards Real Sociedad, which marked the beginning of Barcelona’s first season with out Messi after 17 years. The Argentine star joined Paris Saint-Germain after Barcelona failed to supply him a brand new contract on account of monetary struggles.
Other forwards for Barcelona this season embody Sergio Aguero and Martin Braithwaite, who scored twice towards Sociedad.
“It was very important to get the win,” mentioned Griezmann, who equals Thierry Henry because the membership’s highest-scoring Frenchman, 14 objectives. “It was a good game and hopefully we can now get another win against Athletic. can do.”
Barcelona have gained 12 of their final 15 league matches towards Athletic, which opened with a 0-0 draw at Elche on Monday.
Real Madrid will even depend on a French striker when he tries to make his profitable begin on the Tour of Levante on Sunday. Last season the crew’s high scorer Karim Benzema scored twice and scored twice in a 4-1 win at Alawes on Saturday.
New coach Carlo Ancelotti additionally noticed good efficiency from Eden Hazard, who struggled with accidents final season. He will nonetheless be lacking some gamers, together with injured legends Marcelo and Toni Kroos.
Levante had been the final crew to beat Madrid within the league, profitable 2–1 within the Spanish capital in January. Madrid have gained solely two of their final 4 league matches towards Levante.
Defending champions Atlético Madrid additionally gained their opener 2–1 at Celta Vigo, and it now hosts Elche on the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium with an anticipated crowd of greater than 20,000, when Spanish well being authorities ordered the league to be decreased to 40% of followers. was allowed to start out once more. in stadiums.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone could have hassle establishing his protection as some gamers are nonetheless recovering from accidents and after Mario Hermoso was despatched off within the match towards Celta.
Suarez, Atletico’s main scorer final season after becoming a member of Barcelona, ​​began on the bench within the opener however is anticipated to be within the beginning lineup on Sunday after having an additional week to regain his finest type after the preseason.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
