"It's not in my hands": Griezmann on his LIMITED playtime this season

"It's not in my hands": Griezmann on his LIMITED playtime this season

The French striker was the hero for Atlético Madrid against Porto, but he's unlikely to get a starting birth

Jueves 8 Sep 2022

 Antoine Griezmann was the last minute hero for Atlético Madrid in their Champions League debut. The French forward scored the winner as the Colchoneros beat Porto 2-1 in the dying embers of the match. However, despite his clear importance in Diego Simeone's side, he's been used sparringly due to a complex situation that Griezmann himself talked about after the match.

Antoine Griezmann is in fine form, but his playtime has been limited

Antoine Griezmann is in fine form, but his playtime has been limited

The 31 year old has had scarse minutes this season, and not due to being out of favour with Simeone, but simply because Atlético can't afford to use him more often. Loaned for a second consecutive season to Atlético Madrid by FC Barcelona, the French striker must be content with very limited playing time for contractual reasons between the two clubs. Since the start of the season, he has played less than thirty minutes per match to avoid the Colchoneros having to pay a purchase option set at 40 million euros.

Despite that, Griezmann is thankful for being back at the club where he's always shined the most, and enjoying the time on the pitch that Simeone can afford him. "It's not in my hands", explained the French international, "I only thank God for being here. My family is happy, it is clear that I would like to play more, but I have to do the maximum during the minutes that I am given".

"I'm here to do my job. The only thing I can do is go back like today, try to make a difference and then we'll see", added Antoine Griezmann, who despite accruing just 138 minutes so far in the season, has managed to score three goals.

Griezmann has been enjoying his time back at Atlético Madrid

Griezmann has been enjoying his time back at Atlético Madrid

After missing out plenty of games last season with a myriad of physical problems, Antoine Griezmann is now enjoying his fine form, with his mind set on the 2022 Qatar World Cup: "I'm fine, I'm in great shape. I feel very good physically with the legs. The pre-season did me a lot of good, I needed that. I had a big slump at the end of last season where I was not mentally well either. Now I'm much better and I am ready".

Continue reading: Atletico Madrid's CURIOUS streak that WORRIES Diego Simeone


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