TMW exclusive
As a footballer, Andrea Orlandi he learned the ‘trade’ in some of the most important schools in the world. One above all: he was a student of Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona. As an agent he works with By and For Sport Management where he follows some of the most interesting talents on the Iberian scene and beyond. Because there is a gem, in the agency, who comes from France, plays in Madrid, Atletico side, and his name is Antoine Griezmann. Tuttomercatoweb.comon the day in which the Colchoneros return to the field in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava, spoke exclusively with Orlandi about the Frenchman and beyond.
Griezmann is back in the headlines, it’s still Le Petit Diable who delights everyone with his plays
“An extraordinary moment, yet another in his career. He’s fired up, he’s motivated. He wants to win the La Liga with Atletico: when he went to Barcelona, the club won the championship without him so you can imagine… He chosen to leave the French national team also for this reason, he wants to concentrate on this objective. Rest and give his best contribution.”
We were all dazzled by the goal he scored against Real Valladolid
“Valladolid’s goal is a pearl that comes after a few weeks of criticism. After 3-4 games without scoring, he responds like this… He’s a special boy, on and off the pitch, he’s a true genius, seeing him light up is a spectacle. And then the brace against Sevilla… The winning goal, the victory in La Liga is amazing, the performances prove it.”
Is this a good year for Atleti? Maybe the last of a long cycle?
“They went all-in: they spent a lot, the start wasn’t brilliant, a lot of criticism of Simeone after the signings but in the last few weeks the results have been super. I’m there, I don’t know if it will be the last chance, then also Cholo… He’s been coaching for twelve years, they’re giving everything to win.”
With a super rose
“They have Antoine, Sorloth, Alvarez, Correa, behind them is Le Normand, De Paul, Gallagher. The team is very important, people are asking to try to go all the way. They are asking to try until the end, even in the Champions League” .
In the meantime, Simeone has cast off his moorings, goodbye Cholism
“Diego has changed a lot: from the 4-4-2 to the 3-man defense and now back to a much less rigid 4-4-2. They look for the opposing team, they no longer have a low block. They have the players to do it… He His passion hasn’t changed, his training sessions are incredible, but tactically he’s opened up and Atletico play good football: they’ve been criticized a lot for their defensive style but now they play well, very well.”
We were talking about Griezmann. Hopes to see it in Italy?
“He’s already 33 years old, in my opinion not. There has been interest in the past. Never a concrete offer, but the teams are the known ones… But he didn’t have an offer like from Manchester United: there he rejected it and said no , but he never opened up about leaving La Liga. We’ll see if he wants to play different football in the future, I’m not saying he won’t.”
It expires in 2026 but will this be the last year at Atletico Madrid?
“It will depend on how he feels. If he continues like this, then it’s worth continuing to play at a high level. But it depends on him, it’s like that in everything: if he feels good, Atletico is his home. Otherwise he will choose to do as with the France. I see him so well that he may even stay a few more years…”.
In his agency a winger who is improving match after match, growing a lot, like Aaron Martin of Genoa
“Aaron is having continuity. He had a complicated impact in Serie A due to his methods, it’s a different type of football, he had to adapt to the Italian championship. With Gilardino he started very well, even now with Vieira he feels great. The full-back is also doing very well at four: on a statistical level he is doing well and he is very happy. It is nice to see him so happy with his performances on a personal level and motivated to revive Genoa.”
With Gilardino first and then Vieira, two legends on the pitch on the bench
“Two World Champions, yes. He’s happy with the new coach, they train a lot with the ball, they’re fun sessions, in preparation for what will happen at the weekend. Even just seeing Vieira calls for respect, it’s only been a few weeks but he’s really happy However, even with Gila he learned a lot, on a tactical level it made him become a different and better player. Now with Vieira the style of play will lead him to play in a way that is even more suited to his characteristics.”