Antoine Griezmann arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2019 from Atletico Madrid with star billing, but has been unable to meet those lofty expectations.
The France striker has been criticised for his performances and recently became embroiled in controversy after statements from his uncle and ex-agent, both accusing Lionel Messi of being behind his struggles.
Harassed by the media, he chose to give an interview to the TV programme Universo Valdano to clear the air, to explain that in fact he does have a good relationship with Messi.
What the interview did not explain is why Griezmann could be so impressive in the blue of France, yet fail to hit the heights with Barca.
That, in my opinion, was down to two reasons; the way Ronald Koeman was using him in Spain and, despite his assurances, his relationship with the Messi.
Griezmann is an excellent second striker, playing close to the opposition area.
However at Barca, under the orders of Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien and now Koeman, he was forced to play out of his natural position and was never totally comfortable.
While at Barca it does not work, for France his contribution has been spectacular. Didier Deschamps' confidence in allowing Griezmann to play in his ideal position plays a big part. The player made that obvious.
"I feel good because Deschamps knows where to put me," said Griezmann after France's win over Croatia, in which he scored. "I benefit from that, as well as the confidence that the coach and my teammates give me."
His words, of course, were immediately interpreted in Spain as a dig at Koeman.
However, things seem to be changing at Barca.
Recently he showed that same impressive quality when he played in his ideal position against Osasuna, Ferencvaros and Cadiz. It could herald a new beginning for Griezmann.
Which brings us to the relationship with Messi.
It is clear that Messi did not like some of Griezmann's past statements, and he would have preferred the club to re-sign Neymar from PSG.
Griezmann knew it and was smart in his interview. He wanted to pacify and it appears to have worked, that peace has returned and all is healthier.
The result in Cadiz last weekend was a disaster for Barcelona but once again Griezmann's performance was praised.
I think it unlikely Koeman will play Griezmann out of his ideal position again. He needs him to shine.
Barcelona v Juventus player ratings
-
BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 - Left cruelly exposed for both of Juventus’ first-half goals, but pulled out a quite brilliant one-handed save to deny Ramsey a third goal for Juve early in the second period. Getty Images -
DF Sergino Dest, 6 - Wasted a great chance to get his side back into the game just before half time when he shanked well wide. The former Ajax full back was also kept busy by opposite number Sandro. Getty Images -
DF Ronald Araujo, 5 - A big night for the young Uruguayan but his collision with Ronaldo gave the referee a decision to make, and unfortunately for him, a somewhat soft penalty was awarded. Reuters -
DF Clement Lenglet, 4 - Picked up a yellow card for leaning into Morata with an elbow, before conceding his side’s second penalty of the game when he inexplicably dangled an arm at a loose ball. Hauled off in the 55th minute for Umtiti. Getty Images -
DF Jordi Alba, 5 - Booked for protesting too much when the referee declined to book Ramsey for a heavy challenge in the first half, and the full-back was inconsistent with his distribution when presented with opportunities in the final third. Replaced by Firpo early in the second half. Reuters -
MF Miralem Pjanic, 6 - Moved the ball well through midfield in typical Pjanic fashion but a couple of poor strikes at goal stagnated his side’s momentum. AP Photo -
MF Frenkie de Jong, 6 - Struggled to get a foothold in the first half-hour but grew in influence and saw plenty of the ball in the final third. AP Photo -
MF Trincao, 5 - Floated in and out of the game without ever looking like providing a moment of inspiration when his side needed one. Replaced at half time by Braithwaite. Getty Images -
MF Pedri, 5 - Final ball let the youngster down on a couple of occasions but the same can be said for a number of his colleagues. Replaced by Puig midway through the second half. AFP -
FW Lionel Messi, 6 -- So often Barcelona’s hero, but the 33-year-old hit most of his efforts straight at Buffon in the Juventus goal. Not a night that will feature in the Messi highlight reel. AFP -
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 – Barely touched the ball during a first half in which he was starved of service, before clipping the bar with a glancing header in the in the 58th minute and wildly lashing wide 10 minutes later. Reuters -
SUBS: Martin Braithwaite (Trincao, 46’), 6 - Fired a deflected effort just wide with 20 minutes to go and did make an effort to bring his teammates into the game. AFP -
Samuel Umtiti (Lenglet, 55’), 6 – Booked for leaving his foot in a heavy tackle on Morata shortly after coming on. AP Photo -
Junior Firpo (Alba, 56’), 5 – Brought on to inject some incision out wide but the backup left-back failed to get into the game. Booked for dissent late on. Getty Images -
Ricard Puig (Pedri, 66’), 6 - The youngster showed for the ball and was keen to haul his side back into it, but the game was done by the time he was introduced. Getty Images -
Oscar Mingueza (Aeaujo, 82’), N/R – Slotted into defence but didn’t have much of note to do in the closing minutes of a difficult night for Barca. Getty Images -
JUVENTUS PLAYER RATINGS: GK Gianluigi Buffon, 7 -- The 42-year-old’s only serious save in the first half was to tip a Messi effort around the post, with his second-half action featuring a carbon copy Messi strike that the veteran got a hand to. AFP -
DF Alex Sandro, 7 -- Very solid defensively against the rampaging Dest, while offering plenty of width at the opposite end of the pitch. Reuters -
DF Matthijs de Ligt, 7 -- A fairly comfortable night’s work for the Dutchman, who ensured Griezmann was a virtual spectator for large periods. AFP -
DF Leonardo Bonucci, 8 - Marshalled his side through a sticky 10-minute spell towards the end of the first half but had very little defensive work in the second period and had a goal of his own disallowed for offside. Reuters -
DF Danilo, 6 - Gave away the ball a couple of times when he didn’t need to and picked up a booking for pulling back Puig, but not a bad performance by any stretch. Reuters -
DF Juan Cuadrado, 7 -- Played his part in Juve’s second with a pinpoint cross to lay the ball on a plate for McKennie to smash home, and the Colombian was effective at both ends of the pitch. Replaced late on by Bernardeschi. Getty Images -
MF Arthur, 7 -- Alongside McKennie, the former Barca man did a great job in starving his ex-colleagues of space to operate in midfield for large periods. AFP -
MF Weston McKennie, 8 -- Took his goal quite brilliantly with an acrobatic volley to put his side firmly in the driving seat and was equally impressive off the ball. A contender for man of the match. EPA -
MF Aaron Ramsey, 6 -- Operating as an advanced midfielder behind the front two, the Welshman did plenty of good work in and out of possession to create space for his wing backs to bomb on. Replaced for the final 20 minutes by Rabiot. AFP -
FW Alvaro Morata, 6 -- Glanced a header just over the bar after 24 minutes and the Spaniard had a couple of openings on the counterattack but chose the safe option of holding the ball up rather than baring down on goal. Booked for kicking the ball away at 3-0 before being brought off for Dybala in the closing stages. AP Photo -
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 -- Never looked like missing his 13th-minute spot kick as the former Real Madrid man rifled home from 12 yards, before tucking away his second penalty early in the second half to put the game to bed. Replaced in injury time by Chiesa. Getty Images -
SUBS: Rodrigo Bentancur (Arthur, 71’), 6 -- Helped maintain Juventus’ stranglehold on the game in the final 20 minutes or so. Getty Images -
Adrien Rabiot (Ramsey, 71’), 6 -- In the right place at the right time to halt a couple of weaving Messi runs. Getty Images -
Federico Bernardeschi (Cuadrado, 85’), N/R – Kept the Barca nice and quiet in the closing stages. AFP -
Paulo Dybala (Morata, 86’), N/R – Unable to add to his side’s goal tally in his short cameo. Reuters -
Federico Chiesa (Ronaldo, 90+1’) N/R – Not enough time to make an impact. Reuters
