Diego Simeone responds to claims of Antoine Griezmann´s potential exit from Atletico Madrid 

Atletico Madrid are on to the next round of the Champions League after their 4-1 win in the second leg of the playoff against Club Brugge. Aleksander Sørloth scored a hat trick, but post match questions surrounded Antoine Griezmann and his potential exit of the club.

Cholo wants what’s best for Griezmann

After a 3-3 thriller in Brugge, Atletico Madrid returned home with a job to do and rumors swirling around one of their biggest stars. Antoine Griezmann has been linked to a shock move to Orlando City of the MLS. Reports are the Floridian club want he Frenchman’s services as soon as next month, but Los Colchoneros are hesitant to let the No. 7 go.

In the post match interview after the Round of 16 clinching win over Brugge, Cholo Simeone was asked about a potential transfer of one of his most reliable players. “I won’t speak on his behalf. I love him a lot, and we’ve talked about many things. I hope he chooses what he sees as best for himself, as he deserves that,” said Simeone.

Relations between Griezmann, the club’s directors and his manager have always been good, despite a two hiatus at FC Barcelona. Griezmann returned to the Spanish capital in 2021 on load and the club bought him back the next season. He has been back with Atleti for the last five years, but his time could be nearing an end according to reports.

Liverpool or Tottenham next in Round of 16

Cholo was also asked about the return leg of the playoff, and he was sure to praise keeper Jan Oblak, and American Johnny Cardoso who changed the match with his goal after the break.

“I don’t think we suffered much, but the opponent is an organized and good team, having reached the round of 16 last season,” said Cholo. “Jan Oblak made an important save, and there was a penalty for Giuliano that I’m not sure about. In the second half, we needed to increase the pace, and with Johnny Cardoso’s goal, we started to impose our control and became the better side.”

Now Atletico Madrid will have to wait to see who they will play in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. It will either be Liverpool or Tottenham, but Cholo was firm in his comments, stating the most important thing is that the team continues to improve as the season progresses. “We are not thinking about Liverpool or Tottenham now. We are enjoying today’s match, and returning to the round of 16 is very important. We hope to continue developing and progressing. The players are putting in tremendous effort, as they are playing a large number of matches.”

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