One of the standout names in recent weeks at Atlético de Madrid is Antoine Griezmann, who seems to be in the spotlight. The French striker, the team's second top scorer so far (15), is going through a slight dip in his performance. He is a key piece for Simeone, but it seems he might need a break to try to regain his best form on the field.
Specifically, the latest criticisms have come after what happened last Saturday in the draw against Celta de Vigo and due to a decision that Cholo would make. The early expulsion of Pablo Barrios forced the Argentine to make a change earlier than expected, bringing Koke in for Samuel Lino. However, after the final whistle, many fans thought that the substituted player should have been the Frenchman.
Simeone Needs the Best Antoine Griezmann
It is common for the best players in the world to experience a slight dip throughout the seasons, especially when they are undisputed starters. This seems to be happening with Antoine Griezmann, whose level in this 2025 has sparked a lot of opinions among fans. Both in the draw against Real Madrid and the latest against Celta de Vigo, many thought that the French forward should have been substituted.
In the case of the clash against the Galician team, the challenging scenario of being one player down for 90 minutes forced Atlético de Madrid to change its plan. Simeone had to make a decision after losing a midfielder, bringing Koke in instead of Conor Gallagher. The one sacrificed would be Samuel Lino, who had been on an upward trajectory in recent matches, leaving Antoine Griezmann on the left wing.
The Key Moment of the Season
Starting with the visit to Valencia next weekend, the red-and-white team will have to face a carousel of matches with little rest. It will be an important moment to test the squad's depth and maximize the rotation of the usual starters of the Argentine coach. One of them is Antoine Griezmann, who last season would get injured at the worst moment, missing the return leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Additionally, Alexander Sorloth is knocking on the door of the starting line-up after rescuing the team once again, securing the draw in the last matchday. He is the top scorer for the red-and-whites in LaLiga, with most of his goals coming as a substitute in the second half. Additionally, Conor Gallagher could also start to grow by taking advantage of Pablo Barrios's suspension, who will not be available in Valencia.