Reborn Griezmann gives Barcelona Champions League hope

Maybe it's too late to change the direction of the La Liga title, but Antoine Griezmann's return to his best form in the final stage of the season is one of the few plus points for Barcelona post-lockdown. 

Above all, it could be a boost for the Catalan club ahead of the Champions League, with Napoli to visit Camp Nou in August in the second leg of their last 16 tie. The two teams drew 1-1 in Italy in February. 

Barça's title hopes are now only faint after their eight games in 25 days since La Liga returned. They have dropped six points but did show signs of recovery with their performance at Villarreal last weekend (1-4).  

SUBSTITUTE 

When the Griezmann case kicked off last week, after Quique Setien said it wasn't the same having a certain status and being a certain starter, the Frenchman's performances were in question. His hard work and discipline were not in doubt, but his relevance to games was brought up. 

But that analysis ignored a key factor: Barça's three draws -- Sevilla (0-0), Celta (2-2) and Atlético (2-2) -- all came when he was on the bench. His problems were not causing the poor performances, they were a symptom of them. 

Griezmann's image wasn't helped by the way he jumped in the wall as Iago Aspas scored a late equaliser from a free-kick. But the noise made was excessive and unjustified three days later when Setien only brought him on in the last minute against Atletico. "No words," was Diego Simeone's reflection on the decision. 

KEY MEETINGS 

In the middle of the outcry, a meeting between the squad and the coaching staff helped to ease the dressing room tension. Meanwhile, a meeting between Griezmann's camp and Eric Abidal has helped to reassure the French forward that his future remains at the club. 

Against Villarreal, Bará were at their best with Messi behind Suarez and Griezmann. A more central position saw Griezmann more involved and he linked well with Messi. 

A GOAL

He scored a brilliant goal against Villarreal and then produced a back-heel in the build-up to Suarez's winner against Espanyol in midweek. 

The Frenchman has just two goals in the second half of the season, low numbers compared with the seven he scored in the first half of the campaign. 

But the hope is that he has now found his feet, given his numbers previously with Atletico have always been impressive: 

• Liga 2018-19 · 15 goals and 8 assists
• Liga 2017-18 · 19 goals and 9 assists
• Liga 2016-17 · 16 goals and 8 assists
• Liga 2015-16 · 22 goals and 6 assists
• Liga 2014-15 · 22 goals and 3 assists