How can Valverde fit Griezmann into the team at FC Barcelona?
Naturally, the coach wants to find a way to field the Griezmann alongside Suarez and Messi in his new attacking trident
Ernesto Valverde is looking for the best way to include Antoine Griezmann into the attack now Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are available again.
"We need to improve in attack", "We're struggling to generate our play", "We need to be more involved further the pitch", "We need our attacking line to get to know each other so our attacking phase improves". All of these were comments made by Valverde following the away draw in Dortmund. It seems to be an issue away from home (two goals in three matches) rather than at the Camp Nou (10 goals in two matches).
It hasn't been a smooth start to the season for Valverde further up the pitch and he's needed to trust youngsters Carles Perez and Ansu Fati. With those players alongside him, Griezmann was given greater freedom to pull the strings further forward. An ideal situation for the Frenchman but one he can't get used to either. Messi and Suarez have recovered from their injuries and now the trio needs to find a system and formula which gets the best out of everyone.
Valverde is happy with Griezmann's attitude during these opening weeks of the season. However, he's been a little disconnected from the attack as his natural game is to play deeper and help out the defence.
Barça want more from him
Griezmann has played every minute of every game so far and has scored two goals and provided two assists. Far from disappointing numbers for a new arrival but still some way off what is expected from a Barça star. He needs to do more and that's the battle he finds himself in. Valverde, for his part, wants to help Griezmann have more of an influence on the attack too.
When everyone was on the pitch, Griezmann was moved out to the left-hand side of attack. This is a new role for the attacker as he was allowed more freedom at Atletico. When Messi isn't involved, he can move over to the right where he's more comfortable. If Suarez doesn't play, Griezmann is able to play through the middle.
Valverde appreciates Griezmann's workrate and desire to drop back and help out the team when it needs to dig deep. However, the French forward has arrived as the club's star signing and a star signing at Barça needs to put up numbers you'd associate with the best. Good isn't enough, you must be great - and particularly in the final third.
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