Expectations (and passions) were high when Antoine Griezmann moved to Camp Nou in a 134 million USD move in 2019 but he failed to reach the heights he made at Atleti. The talented French forward played over 100 times for Barcelona in those two seasons but admitted he wanted to play even more before he sealed a loan move back to Wanda Metropolitano at the start of this campaign.Griezmann hit 15 goals in each of his five seasons under Diego Simeone but failed to do it once in his two years at Barcelona.Wed, 24/11, 23.00: (1.65) ATL. MADRID (3.80) AC MILAN (6.25)The 30-year-old claims his time at Barcelona ‘wasn’t a disaster’ per se but admitted his time at the Camp Nou before his return to Atletico Madrid was ‘difficult’. ‘I was very happy to go [to Barcelona],’ Griezman told Telefoot. ‘I had incredible team-mates.’I learned a lot from the coaches, although sometimes I didn’t play and it was difficult.’It wasn’t a disaster either, because I’ve always scored almost 20 goals every season. For me, it is a great pride to have played at Barcelona.’While the Frenchman has scored three goals in three Champions League matches so far this season, he failed to score in his first six La Liga matches back at the Wanda Metropolitano – making it a mixed start of his second spell with Los Colchoneros. However, the situation seems to be improving. Griezmann recorded two goals and an assist in his last three league matches at Atleti.A great start to the ‘Xavi era’ – winning the city derby to break the negative streakThe Frenchman was widely loved among Atletico supporters before breaking their hearts to move to Barcelona two years ago. He has now admitted he was concerned about how the fans would react when he made his return to the Spanish capital. Former Real Sociedad attacker also hinted that Barcelona did not give him a lot of love and support while on the other hand Atleti and their iconic boss Simeone have a lot of confidence in him nowadays.’I was worried,’ Griezmann revealed when asked about his comeback. ‘I know I got off to a bad start, but I knew I was going to do my best on the pitch to get the spirits up and so far everything is going really well.Real Madrid superstars show class and dismantle Granada in an ill-tempered affair’I think they love me there for who I am, so it’s perfect for everyone. It’s true, I have a coach who trusts me, a club that trusts me. ‘My wife is happy, my children are happy. I am very happy whether off or on the pitch.’Atletico are nowhere near the form they held last year when they were crowned champions of Spanish elite. They currently sit fourth with slipping to too many draws in matches that last year would have been victories. It is certainly better for Griezmann being on loan from Barcelona – Blaugrana are sixth with painfully unstable form.
