“I’m a club man”- Atletico Madrid boss justifies reduced playtime for Antonio Griezmann


“I’m a club man”- Atletico Madrid boss justifies reduced playtime for Antonio Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann and Diego Simeone

A condition in his loan agreement is reportedly to blame for Antoine Griezmann’s restricted playing time for Atletico Madrid this season. Atletico Madrid may be limiting Antoine Griezmann’s playing time to prevent triggering a buy clause in the forward’s loan agreement, according to Diego Simeone.

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Atletico Madrid must reportedly make Griezmann’s two-year loan from Barcelona permanent if he plays more than 45 minutes in the majority of their matches, according to reports. Griezmann is currently halfway through his loan from Barcelona. Griezmann started 21 league games for Los Colchoneros last season, making three goals and four assists. However, he has been given a minor role to play so far in the new season.

Although he has only played 82 minutes in LaLiga, the 31-year-old has excelled during his three substitute appearances this season, scoring twice.

Simeone responded when asked if the club’s rules affected how he handled Griezmann’s playing time, “They have known me for 10 years. I am a club man and always will be.

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“We must try to make the players understand that entering 30 minutes well is more important than playing 60 badly.

“Everyone wants to play more minutes and that is why the coaches look for the best situations for the team.”

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Diego Simone puts Atletico Madrid before a player

Diego Simone

Nahuel Molina, Axel Witsel, and Sergio Reguilon were the only players Atleti brought in during the transfer window; Renan Lodi’s loan move to Nottingham Forest was their most notable departure.

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Simeone attributed their lack of engagement to a recent difficulty to raise money, noting:”We have been on vacation since May, June is complicated, in July we settled in and August was complicated again.

“It seemed that four could go, three come in… but I think the pandemic crisis has a lot to do with it. We have not been able to sell in recent years and that creates difficulties.”

With six points from their first three LaLiga games, Atleti will play their fourth game of the year on Saturday at Real Sociedad. Griezmann, whose career with La Real began, has contributed to a goal on each of his most recent three league trips to the Reale Arena with two goals and one assist.

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