Ronald Koeman not giving up on Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann cried out for it. The chance to play in his natural position once again. And he got it against Juventus, starting up front instead of on the right wing.

He's never been a player that good at taking on opponents one vs one. Against Atletico Madrid he didn't need to dribble. He was a facilitator and a goalscorer.

Griezmann needs to be connected to the game, and playing on the wing at Barca, he has not been. With Coutinho out, Messi back in the 10 role, Koeman let Griezmann play up front.

He looked better, hitting the post, getting involved and playing well despite not scoring. 

"I think that, for any player who doesn't have luck on their side, he has to keep working. The goal will come and I have no doubt in that sense." 

Griezmann touched the ball 57 times with 74.5 per cent passing accuracy and linked well with Messi. Koeman congratulated him when he came off in the 89th minute. 

The coach is still working on his best formation and structure. This seemed to work. Messi 10, Ousmane Dembele on the right, Pedri on the left and Griezmann up front.

Pedri also helped out defensively, with opponents attacking Barca's double pivot. It raises the question: where does Ansu fit in the coming games?

Griezmann hopes that it's not up front, where he played at false nine against Real Madrid. Because that could be his role, a new life for the little prince.