Griezmann lived his first day on the pitch as a new Atlético player. The French forward participated in the training session with his teammates and two years later he dressed in shorts to train under Simeone. On Wednesday he was already at the Majadahonda facilities, although he did work in the gym. This time he touched the ball and played the game with which Simeone began to rehearse for this Sunday's match against Espanyol (2:00 pm). And Cholo hesitates between Griezmann and João Félix for the attack point. The Argentine coach alternated them both in the test against a team of affiliate players. In the next trainings you will be able to see if you have doubts or if you choose one of them.
Simeone tried a team with Oblak; Vrsaljko, Camus, Felipe, Hermoso, Carrasco; Herrera, Kondogbia, Lemar; Luis Suárez and João Félix. Later he tried in point with Griezmann, so that it is not at all clear which of the two will play against the Catalan team. In any of the tests, Luis Suárez was fixed, who left behind the edema in his left knee that he suffered against Villarreal. For the Uruguayan, Espanyol can also be an extra motivation after having played for Barcelona.
João Félix has not yet been able to debut in the league championship, since he had surgery on his right ankle after finishing the Eurocup and has been recovering from the intervention. He could not get to play against Celta, Elche and Villarreal and against Espanyol he will play his first minutes of the season. Griezmann, meanwhile, comes from playing with the French team, radiant with morale, since he has scored goals and has been their most important player. The forward does not need any acclimatization time, since he knows Atlético's game system, Simeone and several of his teammates. In any case, between Suárez, Griezmann and João Félix there are two positions at stake.
In training, however, there were missing footballers who are vital for Cholo. Trippier, Llorente and Koke, theorists against Espayol, did not participate in the match. The two internationals for Spain had a day off. Neither were Correa, De Paul, Giménez and Cunha, who will arrive on Saturday. It seems complicated that they can play from the beginning with just one training session, although another thing is that Simeone takes them summoned. The main thing for the Cholo is that it has a lot of quality in its staff and with warranty replacements.
It should be remembered that Atlético will play their first match of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday 15. He will play against Porto and the team has to play seven games in 21 days, so the rojiblanco coach will have to dose efforts in these next commitments. Savic, convalescing after having played for his country, trained on the sidelines, although it seems that he will have no problems getting to the league match. Savic, Felipe and Hermoso would be the three centrals and Giménez would be left out.
In addition, there is the circumstance that Savic will not be able to play in the Champions League as he is sanctioned, so Cholo will rest the Uruguayan defender so that he is fresh for the Champions League game. Savic against Espanyol and Giménez against Porto. Simeone has 21 players and he will have to start moving his pieces.