Thursday, March 28, 2024

Griezmann hopes goal will kick-start his Atletico comeback after making Champions League history

SoccerNews in Serie A 28 Sep 2021

76 Views

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Greizmann is hopeful his goal against Milan will kick-start his second coming in the Spanish capital after making Champions League history on Tuesday.

Griezmann scored his first goal for Atletico since returning from Barcelona on deadline day as the LaLiga champions claimed a last-gasp 2-1 win over 10-man Milan.

Atletico trailed 1-0 at half-time following Rafael Leao’s opener but the visitors eventually capitalised on their numerical advantage after Milan’s Franck Kessie received a second yellow card on the half-hour mark at San Siro.

Griezmann fuelled Atletico’s comeback on matchday two, coming off the bench and equalising in the 84th minute before Luis Suarez converted a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Already Atletico’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Champions League (22), Griezmann became the club’s top scorer in away games after netting his sixth in the competition.

“I hope to get to my best level as quickly as possible. [There’ve been] a lot of changes,” Griezmann told Movistar post-game.

“It [the transfer] was done on the last day and it’s different tactics, a different dressing room, another way of playing. In the end it’s a lot of changes.

“Everything is different. I have to get used to it as quickly as possible because the coach and my team-mates need me. Nights like this are going to help me to get better.

 “[Head coach Diego Simeone] improved me, he got me to my best level. I want to pay him back and the club, the fans, my team-mates. I’m very proud to be here. I think the fans, the people, want to see me like this like tonight.

“I want to bring them happiness and they’ll be going to bed happy tonight. My only objective coming back here is to make them happy.”

This was Atletico’s first away win against Italian opponents since they beat Milan in the Champions League in February 2014 (1-0), having been winless in four such games entering Tuesday’s contest (D2 L2).

Excluding extra time, Suarez’s penalty at 96:21 was the latest game-winning goal in the Champions League since the start of the 2003-04 season (as far back as Opta have exact goal times).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SoccerNews

Soccernews.com is news blog for soccer with comprehensive coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, as well as MLS in the United States. In addition we offer breaking news for transfers and transfer rumors, ticket sales, betting tips and offers, match previews, and in-depth editorials.

You can follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/soccernews.com or Twitter: @soccernewsfeed.

SHARE OR COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

WE RECOMMEND

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This field is required *

Join the conversation!

or Register

Live Scores

advertisement

Betting Guide Advertisement

advertisement

Become a Writer
More More
Top