I really feel ‘freer’ with France than at Barcelona: Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann has admitted that he felt sad at Barcelona when he discovered himself on the bench at varied factors throughout the 2020/21 season. The French footballer admitted that he felt ‘freer’ in France like he did with Atletico Madrid than together with his present staff in Spain.
The 30-year-old made a complete of 51 appearances for the Blaugrana final season, scoring 20 targets and offering 12 assists. “Yes [I was unhappy at Barcelona]. When you lose the title, for example, it makes me sad,” Griezmann stated in an interview with L’Equipe.
“Also originally of the season, as a result of I wasn’t enjoying, I didn’t really feel vital. I’m used to enjoying every little thing – the large video games – I discover myself on the bench in opposition to Real Madrid. It’s annoying to see teammates warming up on the pitch if you are subsequent to them.
“But these are the coach’s decisions and I have to accept it and do everything I can to change his mind. In France, I have earned respect,” stated Griezmann. “Those who learn about soccer know what I do nicely in all of the locations I’m going. In the nationwide staff all of the balls undergo me, I really feel freer, like with Atletico Madrid.
“At Barcelona it was hard because of my first games and sometimes the criticism was exaggerated. In 2021 however, I think that it’s going better. I feel freer than at Barca, whether it be to ask for a ball or finish in the box. When it comes to defending, I move according to the team’s needs, sometimes I defend like a defensive midfielder, sometimes as a full back. From the moment I’m free in attack I feel good. When they want me to work as a winger, I don’t have the dribble or pace to take people on one on one, and I’m not a target man either.”
On his much-talked about relationship with star footballer and teammate Lionel Messi, Greizmann stated, “We understand each other well. Sometimes we write messages to each other, we talk a lot in training,” he revealed. “On the pitch, he’s clearly a very simple participant to play with. In phrases of the play, issues are getting higher and higher.
“This year was a little bit difficult because we had a lot of injuries and we played in a system where not everybody was necessarily at their best.”
Griezmann reacted to Real Madrid ahead Karim Benzema’s return to the France squad beneath Didier Deschamps and stated, “I used to be stunned, after all, but in addition comfortable. It’s Karim, an awesome striker, who can solely do us good. Frankly, we are able to solely be delighted to have him with us.
“We must do everything now so that he feels as good as possible as quickly as possible, that he takes this confidence with him. He’s a guy we can play with easily and obviously he’s welcome with us.”
Alba says Barca letting Suarez go to Atletico was a ‘joke’
Luis Suarez scored 21 instances for Atletico in La Liga because the Rojiblancos beat each Real Madrid and Barcelona to the title. On promoting considered one of their finest strikers to title winners, Barca defender Jordi Alba instructed Cadena Ser, “It was a joke. He is somebody who gave rather a lot to Barcelona and so they virtually gave him away for nothing, above all to a direct rival in Atletico.
“And look, they went on to win the league with him. I didn’t like it. Aside from the friendship we have, where are you going to find a striker like him? It is difficult to find one. Yes, there are some very good players, but what Luis gave us..”