Antoine Griezmann's Barca 'Big Bang'
The French striker has exploded in the last few weeks and wants his first league title
Like a volcano erupting, Antoine Griezmann has appeared just when the team needed him at his best. His attitude has always been a positive factor, even when his form has been bad. Griezmann has been unstoppable in the last few weeks.
He netted in the cup final against Athletic, again against Getafe and then scored a decisive double in the win over Villarreal to keep Barca’s Liga hopes alive and thriving.
This season he has 18 goals and 11 assists, but is also working hard too. Now his predator mode is on.
In the Ceramica he scored two goals and each time that he touched the ball he gave the impression that it could go in.
That was similar to the 2017-18 season, when he was crucial for Atletico in the run in to win the Europa League and then lifted the World Cup with France.
He scored a double in the final against Marseille and netted one against Arsenal in the semis. In the World Cup, Antoine led France with four goals.
He didn’t participate that much in the build up against Villarreal, giving 22 passes compared to Messi’s 48, De Jong’s 52 or Busquets’s 65, but when he did he was good. He worked hard battling with the defence. If to that he adds finishing, like at La Ceramica, then job’s a good’un.
Griezmann knows how to play as a No 9 better than Ousmane Dembele, his compatriot. Dembele did valiantly there, but opponents know how to mark him out o the game. The Clasico was a turning point and now Koeman backs Griezmann for the spot.
To put as much work in as Griezmann does, you have to be well trained. Griezmann has a personal fitness coach and a cook at home. Both have worked with him since his Atletico days. They are his staff and his friends and came to live with him in Barcelona.
He’s pure positivity and his mood has caught on in the dressing room. During warm ups at Camp Nou, sometimes French tunes play out that aren’t often heard in Spain, because he’s picked them.
Now he’s focused on winning the last six games with Barca to try and get his hands on his first league title. Griezmann arrived at Atletico just after they beat Barca to the 2014 league.
For now, his one trophy at Barca is a Copa del Rey. He wants much more.
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