Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has opened up on his aspirations to win the UEFA Champions League ahead of facing Arsenal in the semi-finals this week. The first leg will take place at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 29.
Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals to make it to the penultimate round of the Champions League, marking their first time making it this far since the 2016-17 season. Antoine Griezmann was a starter across both legs this season, becoming an integral part of Los Colchoneros' results. He has yet to win the Champions League in his career, and with the current season being his final one with Atletico, it would be the best opportunity to lift the title.
In an interview with MARCA, Antoine Griezmann opened up about how winning the Champions League this season with Atletico Madrid would heal an old wound. He said:
"It's not something I think about every day, but whenever we talk about the Champions League with friends or teammates, that moment always comes up-the one from 2016, the penalty. It would heal a very deep wound. The only way to get over it would be to win this year."
Griezmann was referring to his missed penalty in the second half of the 2016 Champions League final against Real Madrid. After a 1-1 scoreline, Los Blancos went on to win 5-3 on penalties. The Frenchman's missed penalty remained a crucial missed opportunity, which could have otherwise turned out differently for the LaLiga giants.
If Atletico wins the UCL this season, it will mark their first title in history after losing two finals in 2014 and 2016. It will also mark Griezmann's first time winning the title. However, Arsenal have yet to win the UCL in their history, and will put up a tough fight for Simeone's side.
Gary Neville claims Arsenal cannot go past Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals
Arteta - Source: Getty
In a discussion on The Gary Neville Podcast (h/t GOAL), the Red Devils legend and pundit downplayed Arsenal's chances of winning the UCL this season. He said:
"I think there are better teams in there than them [Arsenal] in the Champions League, and it's a cup competition. They've got three games left, and they've only got four left in the league, so you could argue that it's easy to win both, but I don't see Arsenal getting past Atlético Madrid and the other teams in the semifinal, but I do see them having a chance with the league."
The Gunners remain unbeaten in the Champions League so far this season, and are one of the major contenders to win their first title. Arteta would not take the clash any lightly compared to the Premier League, as they're in a close race with Manchester City to win the league.
The Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid clash, therefore, promises to be a thrilling one, with the winners up against either Bayern Munich or reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the final.