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Does signing Griezmann make Atletico Madrid La Liga favourites?

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Two years after leaving Wanda Metropolitano, Antoine Griezmann has returned to Atletico Madrid on a deadline day move from Barcelona.

The defending La Liga champions have brought back the Frenchman on a one-year loan with an obligation to buy in the following season for €40 million.

A remarkably modest fee in comparison to the €120 million Atleti had pocketed in the summer of 2019.

Why Griezmann couldn’t shine at Barcelona

When he joined the Blaugrana, he was one of the best players in the world.  

He had just won the World Cup with France a year ago and scored 50 goals in the previous two seasons for the Rojiblancos.

But why couldn’t he fulfill the sky-high expectations Barca fans had for him?

Griezmann signed off at Barcelona with 35 goals in 102 appearances.

Not a terrible return by any means, but it’s not reflective of the premium transfer fee Barcelona had paid for him. 

In hindsight, the Barcelona board has to shoulder most of the blame for Greizmann’s struggles.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barcelona’s president at that time, was desperate to acquire a marquee signing to replace Neymar Jr., who had left for Paris Saint-Germain.

But, Griezmann and Neymar are not like-for-like players. Not in the sense of playing style and position, anyway.

Neymar is a left winger while Griezmann thrives in a supporting striker model.

Barcelona never played him to his strengths, so he couldn’t replicate his Atletico form at Barcelona. 

Simeone’s formation

Diego Simeone loves to play two strikers upfront.

Last season, he deployed Joao Felix and Luis Suarez as the striking duo.

While Suarez returned 21 goals, Felix only managed to score 7.

Simeone would be hopeful that Griezmann can provide more threat playing alongside Suarez.

There’s no reason to believe that Griezmann will not be able to reach the heights of his previous Atletico Madrid stint.

Yes, he underperformed at Barcelona, but he barely got the opportunity to play in his preferred position.

At Atletico Madrid, he is familiar with the manager and the system. So, you can place your bet on Griezmann rediscovering his form in Madrid. 

If Griezmann delivers, it could hand Atletico the title for the second successive time.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are going through transition phases.

Barcelona have let go of Lionel Messi, while Real Madrid have failed to bring Kylian Mbappe in the summer.

Since none of Atleti’s major rivals have strengthened significantly in the summer transfer window, Antoine Griezmann’s signing does make Atletico Madrid favorites for the title.

With the World Cup scheduled to be held next year, Griezmann would be desperate to make a good impression to snatch a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad.

Given the abundance of attacking talents the reigning World Champions have at their disposal, there are no guaranteed spots for anyone.

This added motivation will also hand Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid a massive boost this season. 

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WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo storms off pitch after throwing his runner’s-up medal into stands

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Cristiano Ronaldo and his AL-Nassr side lost the Riyadh Cup to AL Hilal on Saturday. It was a clinical performance from the Al-Hilal side as they won the match 2-0. It was a frustrating night for the Portugal legend as he was heckled by the fans in the crowd.

The cameras panned to Cristiano Ronaldo who was swarmed by his teammates. There were chants cheering on Lionel Messi from the stands. Already peeved after losing the game, Ronaldo lost his cool and threw his medal at the fans.

Watch the video here:

During the game, Ronaldo was seen showing disgraceful actions towards the AL-Hilal fans. A scarf which was thrown his way saw the Portugal superstar rub it in the most inappropriate area. The 39-year-old earned the ire of the fans after this incident came to light.

AL-Hilal down AL-Nassr to win Riyadh Cup 2024 –

The 2024 Riyadh Cup final saw some amazing football being played. Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles as WWE Superstar The Undertaker came out to place the trophy. Once the action began it was an end-to-end encounter as both teams went hard at goal.

Serbian star Sergej-Milinkovic Savic opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the game. It was two-nil 13 minutes later as Salem Aldaswari scored an amazing goal. That was the end of the contest despite an hour left in the game to be played.

There was no way back for the Al Nassr side as they looked clueless in front of goal. Not many chances were created by Ronaldo and his team. Al Hilal’s defense held their own against a rampaging Al Nassr side in the last few minutes.

There was pandemonium in the stands as the final whistle was sounded and the Al Hilal fans celebrated. There was a chorus of Messi chants which visibly irked Ronaldo at the end of the game.

Ever since his move from Manchester United in late 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has changed Saudi Football. The likes of Karim Benzema and N Golo Kante are currently playing in the Saudi Pro League. AL Hilal themselves signed noted Brazilian sensation Neymar who sic out injured. With the veteran star in the twilight of his career, this kind of behaviour is least expected from Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Sandeep Lamichhane convicted of molestation, jailed for eight years

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Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted of raping a 17-year-old in 2022. During the case, he kept playing for the team, notably during the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup qualifier in June last year. After the case was filed, he was playing for eventual winners, Jamaica Tallawahs. The leg-spinner was released from the team and was taken into custody.

“I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable. I am sure there must be some mechanism of compensating to the accused who proven to be innocent in our legal system,” he wrote. “I will soon seek legal support against wrongful prosecution and allegation made against me and I am sure I will get the justice and will return to the cricket ground soon to make the name and fame of my beloved country and I pray for speedy trial.”

After landing home, the former Delhi Capitals player claimed that the allegations made against him were baseless.

“All these things affected me mentally on one hand and on the other hand, I had to go through illness, and due to mental stress and ill health I kept myself in isolation. I have been mentally and physically affected by the portrayal and I have reached a state of imbalance and I have been bringing myself back to a normal state under the advice of doctors. My health is gradually improving, and I am planning to return to Nepal as soon as possible to defend against the false complaint against me,” the leggie wrote on Facebook in September 2022.

Talking about the current status, the bench also slapped him with a fine of Rs 300,000 (USD 2255 approx) and ordered him to pay Rs 200,000 (USD 1500 approx) in compensation to the victim. Lamichhane’s lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, told AFP that he “will appeal the decision in a higher court.”

Sandeep Lamichhane’s career at a glance

He is the first Nepal player to play in IPL, PSL, CPL, and several other leagues. He made his international debut at the age of 18

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WATCH: Gautam Gambhir makes endearing comment while answering question related to Virat Kohli

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Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir is believed to have a personal dislike for former India skipper Virat Kohli. Over the years, Gambhir has been critical of the 2008 U19 World Cup-winning captain on a lot of issues. Not to forget, Gambhir has been vocal about not the media should be worshipping individual players.

During a talk show on Star Sports, the two-time World Cup winner was asked about the bowler Kohli faced while completing his 50th ODI hundred. As Gambhir gave the right answer, he also mentioned that his rivalry is with Kohli which stays on the field only.

Watch the video here

He replied:

“Lockie Ferguson.”

Gambhir then smilingly went on to add:

“Ye aap baar baar dikhana, mujhe sab kuch yaad rehta hai. Ladai meri sirf on the field hai (Please show this clip again and again, I remember everything. My fight is only on the field)”

I want Virat Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for: Gautam Gambhir

In another conversation. Gambhir said that Kohli must bat the same way against South Africa in the two-match Test series the way he does. Notably, the latter won’t play the practice game as he has come back to India for personal reasons. However, the right-hander will be available for the series.

“It will be in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s minds that Shreyas Iyer, who is on his first tour, will be batting after Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, if he plays, will be playing as a wicketkeeper for the first time. However, I want Virat Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for.”

India’s squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk)

Tuesday 26-Dec-23 to 30-Dec-23 1st Test Centurion
Wednesday 03-Jan-24 to 07-Jan-24 2nd Test Cape Town
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