Nobody is unaffected by Antoine Griezmann. Under Diego Simeone, the French footballer, who returned to Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window, is having the best season of his career.
Much has been said about Griezmann's return to Los Rojiblancos, but the reality is that he is still not performing at the level that the coaching staff had hoped.
Griezmann has a dismal record with seven games remaining in the season. No one can deny the amount of effort and time he puts in on the field. Or that his offensive effectiveness would be harmed as a result of his involvement.
It is as true that he has operated far away from the opponents' area in recent Champions League matches as it is that his departure from the field has boosted Atletico's performance in a number of games.
We are far from witnessing the greatest form of the Frenchman, with only eight goals in the entire season and only three in LaLiga Santander. He was regaining his place in the lineup after recovering from injury against Manchester United in the first leg of the round of 16 tie.
Simeone gradually incorporated him into his plans, until an injury to Angel Correa at the Estadio Benito Villamarin forced him back into the starting lineup against Cadiz.
He gave one of his best performances with Real Betis. He was finally re-instated in the starting XI against Cadiz. Simeone decided to pull him off after 60 minutes, when the score was 1-1.
Then followed Rodrigo De Paul's goal, which gave Los Colchoneros the victory. Following that triumph, Griezmann had two of his best games of the season. The win at Vallecas and his visit to Old Trafford, when he supported Renan Lodi. More than anything else, his two best performances were based on his defensive and work rate.
Griezmann has become Simeone's first substitute in four games since the international break following the triumph at Vallecas.
Since his return to the capital last summer, it's evident that things haven't gone according to plan for the Frenchman.
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