Antoine Griezmann, the French talisman of Atletico Madrid, has spoken with the calm of a grizzled veteran ahead of what could be his final Champions L...
Antoine Griezmann, the French talisman of Atletico Madrid, has spoken with the calm of a grizzled veteran ahead of what could be his final Champions League outing at the Emirates Stadium. The 35 year old forward, who has seen it all in European football, confessed that the days of pre match jitters are long gone. He told GoalZaza that whereas he used to feel the weight of anxiety bearing down on him for such high stakes encounters, he now approaches the second leg of this finely balanced semi final with pure, unadulterated excitement. The tie is deadlocked at 1 1 after a pulsating first leg at the Metropolitano, meaning both sets of players will have to give a good account of themselves on the night. In the scheme of things, this match represents either Griezmann. �s penultimate or final bow in the Champions League, depending on whether Los Colchoneros can navigate past the Gunners and into the final. The Nigerian international Victor Osimhen, currently tearing up defences in Serie A, knows a thing or two about such pressure, and local fans will be drawing parallels between his warrior spirit and that of the Atletico man. Griezmann. �s words carry the weight of a man who has conquered the lion. �s share of his fears, and he is ready to lead his troops into battle. At the end of the day, the powers that be at the Wanda Metropolitano will be hoping his experience translates into a clinical performance on the pitch. The Frenchman will don the red and white kit with the confidence of a stalwart who no longer bows to the occasion but rather commands it. For the viewing centres in Surulere and the fan parks dotted across Abuja, this declaration will send a shiver of anticipation down the spine of every football enthusiast watching. When Griezmann steps onto the pitch in his customised boots, the atmosphere will be electric, and the faithful will be roaring with the hope that his calmness brings victory. The street vendors selling jerseys outside viewing centres will be doing brisk business as patrons clad in both Arsenal and Atletico colours debate the outcome well into the night. The tension in the air will be thick enough to cut with a knife as every pass and tackle is met with a collective gasp or cheer from the passionate crowd.
