Antoine Griezmann excelled on the World Cup as France’s do-it-all man within the midfield to assist the 2018 champion attain a second straight last.
Since falling brief towards Argentina in Qatar, Griezmann has continued to play his finest soccer in a number of years for Atletico Madrid.
His Spanish league-leading eight assists, alongside together with his team-high 9 objectives, have performed a serious half in Atletico quietly changing into the most well liked workforce within the league during the last two months.
Atletico struggled early within the season. Diego Simeone’s aspect flopped out of European competitors by ending its Champions League group in final place. It additionally rapidly fell out of contact with the Spanish league front-runners and misplaced within the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
But that cup defeat to Real Madrid on Jan. 26 was its final defeat general, and it got here proper when Atletico began a profitable streak within the home league, the place it hasn’t misplaced since Jan. 8.
Atletico is in third place earlier than taking part in fifth-placed Real Betis on Sunday because the league resumes after a world break.
The enchancment in play by Atletico has had loads to do with Griezmann being out there. In the opening months of the marketing campaign, Atletico restricted the minutes of its versatile attacker amid a contractual dispute together with his former membership Barcelona that was not settled till October.
Griezmann rose to the elite of European soccer whereas taking part in for Atletico from 2014-19. He then spent a irritating two years at Barcelona, and returned to the capital in 2021. He has restored his standing as Atletico’s star participant.
Last week, Griezmann helped France begin qualification for the 2024 European Championship with two wins. He scored in a 4-0 victory over the Netherlands and performed the complete recreation in a 1-0 win over Ireland.
Atletico is nicely out of the title race as Barcelona seems like a champion-in-the-making after it beat Madrid earlier than the worldwide break. That 2-1 victory at Camp Nou left Barca 12 factors away from Karim Benzema’s workforce and a full 17 factors forward of Atletico.
Atletico might, although, have put itself in place to problem Madrid for a second-place end, a prize whose best payoff can be sticking it to its high crosstown opponent.
Betis arrives at Metropolitano Stadium by itself six-round unbeaten streak, which got here amid its elimination from the Europa League by the hands of Manchester United.
But Betis midfielder Sergio Canales will begin serving a four-game suspension for saying a referee “premeditated” a purple card issued to Canales in a previous recreation.
Atletico striker Memphis Depay will even miss the sport towards Betis resulting from a thigh damage he picked up with the Netherlands.
WARMUP FOR CUP CLASSIC
Barcelona can add to its commanding lead when it visits last-placed Elche on Saturday. Madrid hosts Valladolid on Sunday.
The powerhouses will then meet at Camp Nou on Wednesday within the second recreation of their Copa del Rey semifinal. Barcelona received the primary recreation 1-0.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com