Although he still does not play in the place that makes him happiest (“it is not my natural position,” he said openly after the match at La Cerámica), Antoine Griezmann already does what was asked of him when he arrived at Barcelona. That he decided the parties like a crack does. And beware that it is not the first time this season. It was his fourth double this course. Another also served to save his head in Granada, where he made it 2-1 and 2-3 in the quarterfinals of the Cup, in one of his best games as a Barça player. And the other could mean the first title of the season for Barça, but his two goals against Athletic were not awarded for the saving appearance of Villalibre in La Cartuja.
Griezmann had also saved Barça from a historical ridiculous last year with a double in Ibiza, but The most important thing about the game against Villarreal is that Griezmann is much more involved than a few months ago in the Barça ecosystem. His first goal was a show of confidence, a genius. A touch of great inspiration. And the second, the best test of a player who is with all the lights on, intuiting what can happen in each play. The 1-2 gave Barça three key points. Again, Griezmann in savior mode.
It seems that, in recent months, the Frenchman has begun to understand his role with the team much better. He is not the main actor, but all the greats like Messi needed great secondary at his side. Be brilliant from discretion. Griezmann knows this well from the world of basketball, who is closely following at the Palau (on Friday he was in the stands watching the Euroleague quarter-section match against Zenit). And this is what the French and De Jong are doing in recent months. Messi begins to like the cast of actors he sees around him. Especially because other players are winning matches on days when the Argentine produces fewer chances and doesn't score goals like in La Cerámica. Some days it was Griezmann, others Dembélé. But also Alba, Pedri or De Jong himself. Even Braithwaite has played his role as a savior alongside Piqué in the tie against Sevilla.
It may be that, for Griezmann, his most comfortable position at current Barça is that of midfielder alongside Messi in the 3-4-2-1 with which the Barça team has played, for example, in Paris. In the somewhat more conservative version, without De Jong in the position of libero, Griezmann must play as the most advanced player. Hence the phrase: “It is not my natural position.” But even so, the Frenchman was very good moving between Athletic's back line in the Cup final (he scored a goal with a fabulous uncheck and the second was annulled by millimeters, 5-0).
Things seem to be going better for Griezmann in a summer that was anticipated moved for the Little Prince. Joan Laporta had in his plans to try to do business with the Frenchman and, who knows if with his income, to be able to face the signing of Neymar. But if Griezmann continues to save Barça in matches and re-emergence, it will be difficult to move him from Barcelona. From what is seen, in addition, the French is delighted at the club. And in the locker room, as in everyone he has been, he is one of the most beloved players. He generates good vibes and is one of the leaders of this new wave of good tuning that is in the culé house.