The French forward made the difference for Diego Simeone’s side again as they made it through a heart-stopping semi-final second leg and could lead them all the way to the title
Atletico Madrid are inside the Champions League very last for the second one time in the space of 3 seasons. But not like in 2014, Diego Simeone’s facet now boasts a awesome individual expertise to supplement the team’s magnificent collective unit. Antoine Griezmann has taken the Rojiblancos all of the manner to Milan.
The France forward has been getting better and higher for the reason that moving to Atletico in the summer time of 2014 and now has 31 desires in his fifty one appearances this time period, including seven from 12 games within the Champions League. Extra than the numbers, but, it’s miles the significance of the goals this is so putting.
Having hit in the remaining spherical to knock out protecting champions Barcelona in a 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon, the 25-12 months-vintage raced clean to attain the important goal at the Allianz area on Tuesday night time to deflate the home aspect’s hopes and swing the tie again in Atletico’s favour.
His purpose turned into the primary from outdoor the field he has scored inside the continental opposition on the grounds that September 2014, hitting it early as he ran on to a thru ball from Fernando Torres. Replays cautioned he turned into marginally offside, however that might had been not possible to peer in actual time. The intention stood and Griezmann had performed it again.
It turned into key because it stopped Bayern of their tracks. The essential away aim gave Atletico the lead within the tie, but it additionally meant that Pep Guardiola’s side had to rating two times extra. And they may best manage the one in a frenetic finale in which Torres missed a penalty and the home team surged ahead searching for a winner.
Had he been on the pitch, the Frenchman would truly have hit the spot-kick as opposed to Torres, too. However Fernando’s pass over just heightened the drama as Simeone’s facet held on and Griezmann offers them a fantastic hazard of prevailing the complete opposition – towards both actual Madrid or Manchester city – for the primary time in their records.
“We do not have a [Lionel] Messi, a [Luis] Suarez, a Cristiano [Ronaldo],” Atletico midfielder Gabi stated in February. “Griezmann doesn’t make the ones kind of differences, right now he isn’t always like Messi.”
but, for Atletico he is nearly as critical. Strong, speedy and effective, Griezmann is a wonderful finisher who has progressed his capacity in front of intention and additionally his motion below Simeone’s wing. In a team gambling almost completely at the counter-assault, he’s the appropriate weapon.
Having removed Barca and now Bayern, the previous actual Sociedad ahead will now hope to guide Atletico all of the manner to the name. And if it’s far Madrid he faces in Milan next month, he’s going to accomplish that having secured a 1-zero win on the Santiago Bernabeu in past due February in what remains Zinedine Zidane’s most effective defeat at home as train of Los Blancos.
“To have knocked out two of the 3 great groups inside the international makes me honestly happy,” Simeone said after the fit.
And they couldn’t have achieved it with out Griezmann. The Frenchman makes the distinction on this side and his desires have beaten the very fine facets in Europe this term. On his shoulders will rest the hopes of lifting the trophy in Milan.
