“Hopefully I can continue like this adding minutes”, said Antoine Griezmann after completing the last 26 minutes of the game against Celta. The Frenchman, who has already played a quarter of an hour against Manchester United, persists in his particular preseason in search of his best form.
And it is that the injury, and subsequent relapse, suffered by the 8 in recent months is the longest since he debuted at Real Sociedad more than a decade ago. First, an entry by Carvajal caused that, on December 13, he made a gesture that caused the muscle ailment.
Then, the rush led him to play against the Ray Majadahonda in the cupbearer premiere to try be ready in the Saudi Super Cup. The result, a goal… but a relapse that has had him low in total for 10 games between League, Cup and the aforementioned event in the Saudi country.
“It’s the first time I’ve been away for so long, so I’m a little scared, but well here I am, gaining minutes and confidence with my hamstring,” continued the French world champion, knowing that his physical moment is not that of his fellow strikers, in this case Correa and Joao Felixstarters the last two duels.
It will go in little by little
Does the French know that he is not yet at his physical best. Simeone himself knows it too, which is why his inclusion in the eleven in the run-up to the duel against Celta was surprising. The Argentine, who knows Antoine better than anyone, takes care of him with care so that he regains his confidence… and with it his best game.
Griezmann’s goal is, out there, to work hard to get in tune and make it difficult for Cholo that despite Cunha’s injury he still has four top-level strikers: the Frenchman himself, Luis Suarez and the aforementioned Joao and Correa, now settled in the starting eleven: “That Cholo breaks down to make the team, that’s what we want, that we can all score goals and help in defense, be at our top level,” he stated in full ‘preseason’ to gain confidence.
