One of the undisputed leaders of world champion France, Antoine Griezmann has lost influence, threatened by the growing importance of Kylian Mbappé and disturbed by the return of Karim Benzema, at a time when he has left Barcelona to return to Atlético.
Normally relaxed and smiling at each concentration of the Bleus, the 30-year-old striker does not seem at his best on this September tour, with three qualifying games for the 2022 World Cup, which France closes on Tuesday by hosting Finland in Lyon. Before they gave up two 1-1 draws against Bosnia and Ukraine.
Until the last moment of the market closing, on August 31, the footballer had to remotely manage his departure from Barcelona to return to Atlético after two seasons full of ups and downs.
As a rare event, the midfielder is being discreet in the media field, leaving the foreground to Paul Pogba or captain Hugo Lloris, in charge of commenting to the press on the bad moment of the Bleus, immersed in a disturbing series of five games no victory.
– ‘Go back home’ –
Griezmann has been content to thank the Barcelona fans for their “love”, in a short message posted on social networks, before announcing to the ‘Colchoneros’ that he had “wanted to go home.”
On the court, the left-hander has not shone either in the two Bleus games. Starting for the seventh time in a row with the golden triangle against Bosnia, along with Mbappé and Benzema, he combined little with his illustrious teammates, even disoriented on a right flank that he does not appreciate much.
Three days later, in a match that seemed to suit him against Ukraine, without the injured Mbappé and with Benzema on the bench, he also did not find the influence he had in the victorious 2018 World Cup, when he finished with four goals.
The player trained at Real Sociedad returns to the capital of Spain in search of recovering sensations after two seasons in the shadow of Lionel Messi.
Before returning to training with coach Diego Pablo Simeone, the capital in his emergence at the highest level, destiny proposes a return close to his roots, 80 kilometers from Mâcon, his hometown.
– Exile on the right –
At the Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu, on the outskirts of Lyon, the midfielder has already shone, registering a double at the end of May 2018, in the Europa League final that Atlético beat Marseille (3-0).
A few days later he became the indisputable leader of the French attack in Russia, head of free kicks and penalties, alongside his faithful Olivier Giroud -out of the present squad- and the emerging prodigy Mbappé.
In September 2021 the first is not there and the second claims the lead, asking for penalties, fouls and corners, in addition to leaving the right to play in the center, Griezmann’s favorite position.
With Benzema’s surprise return at the end of May, there are now three players who like the center more than the wings, a problem for the “balance” that coach Didier Deschamps always proclaims.
With 97 games and 39 goals, Griezmann is also an example of perseverance and defensive work as an attacker.
Except for unlikely removal or replacement, on Tuesday he will extend his record of 55 consecutive games in the national team, without having missed a single one.
In the short term, he will be able to become a centenary with the Bleus and await the 41 goals of Michel Platini. Enough incentives for a gamer looking for his best version. AFP (HN)