Ahead Antoine Griezmann has stated he struggled to adapt to life again at Atletico Madrid after rejoining the LaLiga champions from Barcelona final summer season.
The France worldwide starred this week in Atletico’s dramatic 3-1 win away at FC Porto to safe qualification for the Champions League spherical of 16, however each he and the group have been inconsistent this season.
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Atletico go into Sunday’s derby with Actual Madrid 10 factors behind their metropolis rivals within the LaLiga desk.
“To be trustworthy it was fairly laborious for me at first,” Griezmann instructed ESPN. “It was a rhythm I wasn’t used to, a brand new system for me. I needed to take that and blend it with my very own type of play.
“Lastly I am getting higher, and I am feeling higher on the pitch. To get to the subsequent spherical of the Champions League was crucial for me.”
Griezmann, 30, spent 5 years at Atletico — turning into the fourth highest aim scorer within the membership’s historical past — earlier than a controversial transfer to Barcelona in 2019.
After two up-and-down seasons at Camp Nou he returned to the Wanda Metropolitano in August on a season-long mortgage, with Atletico having the duty to make the deal everlasting subsequent summer season.
His contribution in LaLiga to date has been inconsistent, with three targets in 12 appearances, however he performed a key position in Atletico’s development from Champions League Group B, scoring 4 occasions together with the opener within the must-win conflict in opposition to Porto.
An Atletico win in Sunday’s derby would take them to inside seven factors of leaders Actual with a recreation in hand.
“On the finish of the day there are three factors at stake,” Griezmann stated. “I do not suppose it actually issues what number of factors forward they’re, as a result of it is a actually lengthy season, we noticed that final yr… we nonetheless needed to combat for the title till the final recreation.
“I believe we will take one thing from that. There’s nonetheless plenty of the league left and plenty of video games left to play.”
Diego Simeone’s group go into the match dealing with a defensive harm disaster, with 4 of seven defenders — Stefan Savic, Jose Maria Gimenez, Kieran Trippier and Sime Vrsaljko — all prone to be absent, whereas striker Luis Suarez can be a doubt.
Actual, who’re additionally ready on the health of ahead Karim Benzema, have gained their final 9 video games in all competitions.
“Actual Madrid have been probably the greatest on this planet for a few years,” Griezmann added. “They’ve all the time been there. It is a derby for us, so it is crucial for the followers and the membership. You might be enjoying for every membership’s satisfaction. It will likely be a fantastic recreation to observe.”