A total of 97 games and 40 goals constitute Griezmann’s journey through the Champions League with Atlético (119 in total after playing six other games with Real and 16 with Barcelona in which he would score four goals), however his legend in Europe dressed in red and white still includes nine appearances and six more goals translated into two titles: the Super Cup won against Madrid in Tallinn in 2018 and the Europa League a few months before that gave him the ticket to that continental derby. In fact, none of the trophies would have been possible without his time in the game. Emirates Stadium, where Antoine signed one of those performances for the museum of his genius.
Thus, along with his goal in Munich to lead to the last Champions League final in 2016, his double in the quarterfinals to previously knock down the Barcelona of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez that had achieved the triplet a year before, his two goals against Olympique de Marseille to lift the Europa League or even the first on the day of his European debut making up for the defeat (3-2) against Olympiacos in his half hour on the green, in his catalog of goals for history the one in those semi-finals against Arsenal also has a privileged place.
It was the last chance to Arsene Wenger to lift a continental title in his farewell from the bench, but the celebration of the final in Lyon was also an occasion for Griezmann He will be crowned in Europe very close to his native Macon, just 70 kilometers away. The favorite, of course, the English team.
And even more so after in just nine minutes Vrsaljko headed to the locker room after seeing two yellow cards. Too much time to resist the attacks of an Arsenal that was facing the tie. In fact, while Wellbeck, Ozil and Lacazatte arrivals were accumulating, Atlético began to star in one of those resistance exercises that continue to be remembered eternally.
He would not prevent the goal from Griezmann’s friend who became Atlético’s goal in the 61st minute, but even so the narrow defeat kept life for the return leg. Until in the 82nd minute, while Arsenal was still focused on Oblak’s goal, a counterattack would launch Griezmann towards glory.scoring a tying goal that would continue in the Metropolitan’s return, assisting Diego to reach the final.
