Griezmann struggles symptomatic of a Barcelona lacking creativity

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AFP Madrid
Last Updated : Nov 26 2019 | 9:20 AM IST

Barcelona fielded their fabulous four against Leganes on Saturday for the first time this season but it was only after Antoine Griezmann went off that his replacement scored the winner.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Griezmann all started but Giezmann departed in the 57th minute before Arturo Vidal poked home in the 79th, fortuitously placed as Messi's cross cannoned into his path.

When Barca signed Griezmann last summer for 120 million euros from Atletico Madrid, many wondered where the Frenchman would fit into their stacked front line, which would have swelled further had Paris Saint-Germain come to terms over a deal for Neymar.

Gerard Pique has said key players were even prepared to alter their contracts to facilitate Neymar's arrival and while Messi has dismissed talk of a rift with Griezmann, doubts persist.

"For me, he's a player that has just arrived - and at a club like Barca, who play a little differently from other clubs," said Clement Lenglet last month.

"He helps us a lot with his talent, with his defensive effort, because he is a player who sacrifices a lot for the team. I don't think there is any problem with Antoine Griezmann."
"It will come and I know my teammates want the best out of me. I want that too, I demand the best of myself every day and I think I'm on the right track."

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First Published: Nov 26 2019 | 9:20 AM IST

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