Atlético boss Simeone speechless after Griezmann's brief Barça cameo
Following Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, Diego Simeone was asked about former Atlético Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.
Diego Simeone said he is "without words" amid former Atlético Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann's struggles at Barcelona.
Griezmann restricted to cameo in draw with Atlético
Griezmann was a 90th-minute substitute against former team Atlético, who earned a 2-2 draw away to stuttering Barça in LaLiga on Tuesday.
A 120-million-euro signing from Atletico at the start of the season, Griezmann arrived amid much hype but the star forward has struggled at Camp Nou, where he has started on the bench against Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao in recent weeks.
Griezmann has scored eight LaLiga goals this season and 14 across all competitions for second-placed Barça, who could fall four points adrift of bitter rivals Real Madrid on Thursday.
However, he has not scored since Barça's 1-1 draw against Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie prior to the coronavirus pandemic in February.
Asked about Griezmann, Simeone told Movistar: "I'm without words."
Diego Costa's 11th-minute own goal had put Barça ahead before Saúl Ñíguez's penalty restored parity for Atlético eight minutes later.
Lionel Messi converted a penalty of his own five minutes into the second half to celebrate his 700th career goal, but another Saúl spot-kick - in the 62nd minute - secured a draw for Atlético.
Simeone pleased with Atlético display at Camp Nou
It is the first time Atlético have scored two goals against Barça in LaLiga under Simeone, whose side are third and two points clear of Sevilla with five matches remaining.
"We are respectful of Barcelona with the quality they have," Simeone said. "The game was played as a result of what we usually do. We started well. Their goal came in an isolated play.
"Then to generate a difficult game against a team that keep the ball well. We tried until the end. The work was very good, a very competitive team. I'm happy."