News Focus
- Antoine Griezmann says he feels excitement instead of stress before the Arsenal match
- The Atletico Madrid forward could play his final Champions League games at age 35
- The semi-final second leg stands level at 1-1 ahead of the clash at the Emirates Stadium
- Griezmann prefers to lead teammates through actions rather than speeches
- The Frenchman postponed a move to Orlando City to chase European glory with the Spanish side
Antoine Griezmann has revealed a big change in his feelings before matches. The Atletico Madrid star says he now feels excitement instead of stress ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
The two teams will meet on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium. This is the second leg of their semi-final. The score is level at 1-1 after the first match in Spain.
Griezmann is 35 years old. This could be his last or second-to-last game in the competition. However, he looks relaxed and happy.
I feel very excited about tomorrow, he said. I am looking forward to it. It will be a great match to experience.
The Frenchman explained that his approach has changed completely. I used to feel a lot of stress, he admitted. I would think about the game fifty times before playing. Now I stay calmer. I know what might happen. I can focus only on winning.
He also said that scoring goals is not his main concern. It does not matter if I score, he explained. I prefer to win the match or reach the final. That is more important than personal goals.
Griezmann remembers the 2018 Europa League final against Arsenal. He scored in that match to help Atletico lift the trophy. He sees that time very differently now. Back then, I felt too much tension, he said. I played at full speed constantly. I did not know when to stop. Now I am a more complete player. I feel more joy and enthusiasm.
Manager Diego Simeone told the press that controlling emotions is vital. Griezmann agrees with this idea. He prefers to lead by example rather than talking in the dressing room. I show enthusiasm through my actions on the pitch, he stated. My teammate Koke motivates people with words. I motivate through what I do.
The former Barcelona attacker also helps younger players like Alex Baena. Some fans see Baena as Griezmann’s replacement. He played on the wing at Villarreal, Griezmann noted. Now he plays in the centre. I see similarities between us. The coach, fans and teammates will help him reach his best level.
Griezmann could have left the club in March. He planned to join Orlando City in America. However, he stayed to help Atletico in Europe. I wanted to stay because we can do something incredible, he said. We are one step away from the final. This is historic.
Atletico are now just two matches away from a final appearance. Every player dreams of lifting the trophy, Griezmann added. We must stay solid in defence and maintain our performance from the second half of the first leg.
The match kicks off at 21:00 Central European Summer Time on Tuesday. That is 22:00 in Nairobi.