It was an emotional afternoon at the Metropolitano, to put it mildly. So much so that Antoine Griezmann himself was moved to tears in the pre-match festivities before his 500th Atlético de Madrid appearance. The tributes to the club’s all-time leading scorer included:
- A special edition jersey patch
- a “Goldeador de la historia rojiblanca” tifo
- A Griezmann-influenced barbershop
- Griezmann donning the captain’s armband instead of Koke
- Images of Griezmann’s best moments as an Atlético player set up around the stadium
- “Gracias, Antoine” featured on the Metropolitano’s halo videoboard.
- Griezmann walking out with his four children before kickoff
- His best friend, Koke, donning his own version of a commemorative shirt.
- Griezmann recreating the hairstyle from his first season at the club in 2014/15.
Atleti started out slowly, and perhaps the distractions from the Griezmann festivities — not to mention, Girona desperately fighting for their place in the league — factored into the slow start. Frankly, Girona looked like the better
side for the first 15 minutes of the game, and the Blanquivermells were unlucky to be down going into the halftime break.
Dávid Hancko though was unlucky to hit the woodwork with his header just before the 20-minute mark, a warning sign for the Girona defense. And after 20 minutes, Antoine Griezmann delivered a beautiful ball to register his 100th assist for the club as he set up Ademola Lookman’s opening goal.
Atleti’s second-half strategy was clear: get the ball to Griezmann to score on his home finale and, in all probability end the match. He came close in the 67th minute from a great Thiago Almada pass, but the shot went wide of Paulo Gazzaniga’s goal. Alexander Sørloth then almost iced the match with a brilliant solo run in the 76th minute, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
It was up to Jan Oblak to save Atlético yet again. After a string of wonderful saves and commanding goalkeeping in the first half, Oblak saved well from the fantastic Azzedine Ounahi as Girona threw the kitchen sink at Atleti. Ultimately, to no avail.
The 1-0 win sets up a “winner-takes-third” match at La Cerámica next Saturday against Villarreal. As it stands, Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal are level on points and goal differential; with a draw, Atlético finish third based on head-to-head results.
For Girona, it’s a harsh result, and they’ll head back to Catalonia thinking they deserved more. They’ll have their own final against Elche next week, which they must win to stay in the top flight — one year after playing Champions League football.
Let’s discuss some takeaways from Antoine Griezmann’s final home game.
Griezmann leaves out the front door
Here is a breakdown of events from Griezmann’s post-match send-off at the Metropolitano.
- Atleti’s co-captains presented Griezmann with a framed and signed jersey
- Koke wore Griezmann’s now-iconic 2014/15 jersey
- Atlético’s second-ever socio presented Griezmann with a persona letter
- Some of the club’s biggest legends — Fernando Torres, Diego Godín and Adelardo Rodriguez, were brought out to present Griezmann with the all-time legends armband
- Club legend and former captain Gabi also left the Frenchman a video message
- Torres and Griezmann joined together in the center circle and did Torres’ iconic “archer” celebration
- Club chairman Enrique Cerezo, who was jeered by supporters, presented Griezmann with a 500 appearances plaque and a model of the Metropolitano
- A “Gracias Griezmann” inflatable mural appeared while Griezmann’s wife and children joined him at midfield
- A highlight video featuring Griezmann’s best moments with the club was shown to more than 60,000 fans who stayed long after Muñiz Ruiz blew for full-time.
In his own tearjerking remarks, Griezmann thanked all his teammates, coaches, physios, kit men and staff. He reserved a special thank you for Diego Pablo Simeone, who helped him grow into a World Cup champion. He even apologized to the fans for joining FC Barcelona, a highly-controversial move that continues to alter his legacy at the club to this day.
“I was very young. I made a mistake, I reflected on it, and we did everything possible to come back and enjoy it all again,” he said.
You could argue this past season was one of Griezmann’s best at the club. He fully accepted a less-prominent role to begin the season and thrived in recent months as a playmaking false nine. Nine times out of 10, a high-profile player will head to MLS only when they’ve got very little left in the tank. This is that 10th instance. It’s a shame we will not see more of him next season, because Griezmann is still good enough to play top-level football.
Griezmann leaves Atlético as its all-time leading scorer; he’s second in assists and fourth in appearances. While he fell short of winning the Champions League or a major domestic honor, he helped deliver the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2018, as well as the Supercopa de España in 2014. Simeone receives a lot of credit for bringing Atlético to where it is today; Griezmann deserves much of the same credit, as well.
As El Cholo said in his pre-match press conference, Atlético will miss Griezmann. While the club will aim to bring a player in to replace the Frenchman, there is no way that prospective player will come close to replicating the impact Griezmann made on this club.
Others stepped up, too
While the focus of the day was mainly on Griezmann, there are other players who played well and deserve special shoutouts.
Álex Baena and Obed Vargas both put in great shifts prior to being subbed off around the hour mark. Lookman scored his ninth goal in a little over three months with the Colchoneros.
You have to give Baena credit for continuing to give it his all. There were moments in March and even April where the Spanish international’s confidence was gone. However, he’s continued to work hard and arguably is in his best form since his splashy signing from Villarreal. A solid performance against his former team and a clearer role upon Griezmann’s departure should do wonders for the player.
Lookman arguably has been the one of the best and most transformative winter signings in Europe…ever. When he joined the club and made his debut in the Copa del Rey against Real Betis, he instantly made the team better and gave it a unique attacking threat from the left-hand side.
Off the pitch, Lookman has given the club a significant marketing boost. For example, the popular British streamer Samham has become infatuated with Atleti since Lookman joined. Stuff like this increases the club’s visibility and continued viability as it finds new markets to draw in fans.
What’s next for Atleti’s legends?
Diego Simeone will be back next season. El Cholo is already thinking about 2026/27 and potentially taking a different approach than normal coming out of a World Cup year.
A lot of supporters still have a bad taste in their mouth from the Copa del Rey final result, and it’s warranted. Atleti should have left this season with at least one trophy. However, if you would have told Atlético supporters that they’d finish in the Champions League semifinals and reach the Copa final, most would call that a successful season.
Next season will be pressure-packed for Diego Simeone. Atlético have gone five seasons in a row without winning a trophy, and expectations will be higher than ever amid an expected influx of cash from new majority shareholders Apollo Sports Capital.
Once the dust settled on Griezmann’s farewell tribute, Koke and Jan Oblak spoke to the media. Since the Champions League semifinal loss to Arsenal, the longtime Atleti captain has sounded uncertain about what he was going to do next. He reiterated Sunday that while he has the energy to keep playing at the highest level, he has to talk to Simeone and the club. A definite “yes” would have eased a lot of anxiety amongst supporters, but that is an optimistic answer from the Spaniard.
Simeone has a young and inexperienced midfield featuring Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso and Obed Vargas, and all three could use guidance from Koke next season. His renewal is important, even as he turns 35 in the middle of next season.
Jan Oblak would not confirm his future either following the home finale. The 33-year-old has long been viewed as one of Europe’s best goalkeepers over the last decade. But a dip in form, an injury, his high salary and Juan Musso’s rise to prominence this season are all factors that have fans wondering whether life without Oblak begins in a matter of months.
These concerns might ring a touch hollow after Oblak made 11 saves against Girona. When healthy, there aren’t too many other keepers better than the Slovenian. However, Mateu Alemany wants to optimize the wage bill and he could see an opportunity to free up close to €20 million in wages if Oblak leaves.
Hopefully, we can see one more season with both Oblak and Koke in the team and enjoy a similar, even more emotional tribute around this time next season. Maybe there will be a little more silverware to show for it as well. Like Oblak said, the summer is always long and only time will tell.
