Griezmann promises tireless Atlético in final
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
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Atlético Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann talks to UEFA.com about his prolific form this season and the need to be "strong mentally and physically" against Real Madrid in the final.
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On his form (seven UEFA Champions League and 22 Liga goals this season) …
I've had a great season and hopefully it'll end on a high note. I'm brimming with confidence, I feel good out on the pitch and have faith in the team to produce a great performance in the final.
It's important to score in the Champions League and to raise your game to the next level, and I've been able to do that. I try to improve in every match in the Champions League – it's an important competition – and I'm hopeful of having a good game in the final and maybe even scoring a goal.
On the secret to Atlético's success …
For starters, we're a strong team defensively – that's one of our strong points, and it gives us a platform to work on. Apart from that, we're a tight-knit group and everyone gives their all to help one another out on the pitch so that we keep winning games.
On scoring twice against Barcelona in the quarter-final second leg …
For the first goal Saúl [Ñíguez] delivered a perfect cross and I was able to head it home; the stadium erupted. But we had to stay focused because we needed a second goal [to feel comfortable]. We'd already had three great performances against them in the league and Champions League and lost them all, so we had our hearts set on winning that one in front of our fans.
We had a great game, we were solid defensively, we put in a huge amount of effort and ultimately we managed to get through.
On his crucial away goal against Bayern in the semi-finals …
I hope it's not the most important one and that a more important one is to come in the final. But for sure, it was an important match and goal. We knew that Fernando [Torres] and I weren't going to get many chances so I tried to put it away and luckily it went in.
On the final and the prospect of winning the trophy …
We're going to be ready. We'll remain focused every second of every minute, and give our all like always. We'll run our socks off, look to win the ball back by pressing high, and try to get the first goal. We'll have to be strong both mentally and physically.
It'd be a dream come true, and I hope I get the chance to lift the trophy. I know it will take a lot of hard work and effort, but we are ready and willing, and we'll do everything we can to win it.
