Antoine Griezmann has slalomed into the 2023-24 season in great form, picking up where he left off last season. You could even say for the past year or so, he has been in the best form of his career. Since returning to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona, Griezmann has shown goal scoring prowess, versatility, and tactical intelligence, all of which were on show in the recent 6-0 thrashing of Celtic in the Champions League group stage.
In 63 minutes, before being substituted for Saul Niguez, Griezmann helped Atleti take complete control of the game, especially following a red card to Daizen Maeda, which saw Celtic go down to 10 men.
Atleti set up in their now accustom 3-5-2. But instead of playing in a front two alongside Alvaro Morata, Griezmann started on the left of midfield. From midfield, Griezmann tracked back, set deliveries into the penalty-area, combined with left-wing back Rodrigo Riquelme, and, most importantly, scored twice.
The first of Griezmann’s two goals came after a poor headed clearance from Callum McGregor fell straight to his feet on the edge of the box. Griezmann quickly shot, which was deflected beyond reach of Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Griezmann’s combinations with Riquelme on the left wing were a consistent threat. Riquelme is clearly an attack-minded player, and he threatened when carrying the ball forward on the counter. Riquelme completed five dribbles against Celtic, the most of any player, and if he moved inside with the ball, Griezmann would move wide to cover the space.
And when Atleti were defending, Griezmann would track back and support against attacks down the right, doubling up against Maeda before his dismissal. Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley also had less space in which to operate, because of Griezmann covering.
Crosses from the right wing were high, and deep, as they looked to meet numbers towards the back post. But one scenario saw a reverse of that, with Griezmann waiting for the right moment to switch the play across the box, with his pass meeting right-wing back Nahuel Molina, whose low-driven shot went narrowly wide.
Griezmann made out to in runs into and through gaps between defenders, receiving passes in behind the defence on left and right channels. An example of the latter saw his run be fed, and his shot parried away by Hart.
Though another goal did come before half-time. On the right, Griezmann exchanged passes, before his in-swinging delivery from deep found Jose Gimenez moving towards the back post. His header was met by Morata, who knocked the ball goal bound to double Atleti’s lead.
The second-half saw Atleti continue in the same vein as the first. They pressed Celtic high up the pitch, making it difficult for Celtic to progress through the thirds, which was even harder now they were down to 10 men. A chance, which saw Griezmann arrive on the left unmarked, was not taken by the Frenchman, who sliced the ball wide, even if it showed that again, he knows what space to move into and when.
But then Griezmann extended his sides lead to three goals. A cross from second-half substitute Marcos Llorente was headed by a Celtic defender, but only to Griezmann, who executed a superb scissor kick into the bottom right corner, which capped off an excellent evening for the midfield-forward hybrid.
A player of the match display saw Griezmann create 4 chances, and score in three successive Champions League games for the first time in his career. Griezmann now has 11 goals this season in all competitions, and although not having provided an assist, is the creative heartbeat of this industrious Atleti side.
The consistency in front of goal, and frankly all over the pitch, that even earned him praise when playing as a no.10 for France at last year’s World Cup, could easily make one think he is in the best form of his career to date.
When looking at data since 2017-18, Griezmann has been consistent, aside from a slight slump during his time with Barcelona, where he was not the fulcrum of the team.
His numbers for both key passes, and progressive passes per 90 in all club competitions, have been even higher since the start of last season.
Should Griezmann continue to score goals, and influence attacking moves, Atleti should never rule themselves out at chance of silverware, both domestically, and in European competition.
The Conventional Playmaker 