For Diego Simeone, the Atlético Madrid match on April 1 must have seemed like good news. Not because the Colchoneros won against Villarreal (1-2) before taking advantage of a nine-day rest to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final first leg, this Wednesday evening (9 p.m.), but especially because it marked the convincing return to competition of Antoine Griezmann.
Forfeited for the last meeting of the French team (March 18-27) due to an ankle problem that he had been suffering since the end of February, the now top scorer in the history of Atlético de Madrid had time to get back on track properly before the big European deadline this week. “I’m recovering from my ankle problem, I’m working hard but I feel in great shape,” he confided in an interview carried out by the club’s media and broadcast on BeIN Sports. We have to try to be in the best possible conditions for the final stretch of the season. Personally, I will try to be at my best for all these matches. »
Victim of a sprained ankle during the first leg against Inter, Griezmann managed to return in time for the return but relapsed. Rested, he has trained normally since the end of March and was able to take advantage of being exempt from the international break to patch things up peacefully. He won’t be too much to help Atlético in this quarter-final between the two outsiders, against the Germans from Dortmund. “We will need the best Griezmann, without a doubt,” recognized Diego Simeone at a press conference this Tuesday. In the previous round, this better version of “Grizou” was essential in Atlético’s overthrow of Inter.
Facing Dortmund, a place in the semi-final of the Champions League will be at stake, a stage we did not necessarily imagine them at at the start of the competition. It has been since 2017, and the semi-finals lost to rival Real Madrid (3-0, 1-2), that the Matelassiers have not reached the last four. This season, their hope is fueled as much by the newfound strength of their collective as by the brilliance of Griezmann, indispensable offensively and co-top scorer in the Champions League with 6 goals – tied with, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane , just that.
“I am happy with our season so far,” said Griezmann, who has 19 goals and 7 assists in all competitions this season. We will have to be in good shape and start the match with the same state of mind as against Inter. Borussia Dortmund are in great shape, they have just beaten Bayern at home (2-0, on March 30)… We will have to pay attention to all the details. »
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