Antoine Griezmann’s difficulties at FC Barcelona do not come as a surprise to Jérémy Mathieu, former of the blaugrana house.
A Champions League, two Ligas, a Club World Cup or three King’s Cups: in three seasons spent at the FC Barcelona, Jérémy Mathieu won everything with the Blaugrana. Recruited by Luis Enrique in the summer of 2015 after five seasons at Valence, the former French international obviously does not regret his adventure at Barça. “Playing for Barça was the best thing I did in my career, with Iniesta, Messi, Xavi. I played a lot “, confided the one who played 94 matches with the Catalan club.
The end of his adventure was nevertheless more painful, a consequence of his failed Champions League match against Juventus Turin. “The last year went badly, I had the feeling that because of me we had lost in Turin, they had killed me, even if I know that football is played at eleven”, he admitted, regretting a lack of communication among Barcelona residents when things are not going in the right direction: “It’s true that it’s a bit lacking in Barça’s locker room, you have to learn that it works like that, that we are a little alone. “
I think he was wrong to sign for Barca
A situation that are now confronted by Samuel umtiti and Clement Lenglet, in great difficulty since the start of the season. “Lenglet, everyone shoots him right now, I know what it is.” He must stay positive and do his best to reverse the trend ”, he said, adding about the former Lyonnais: “When you’re recovering from an injury, it’s hard to come back to 100%. He’s a world champion, he’s been a great player, but he’s far from his best. He has to work harder, and also work on the mental aspect. “
But the two central defense partners are not the only ones to be in pain at Barça. It is the same withAntoine Griezmann, despite a slight improvement observed at the start of the year. A situation which does not however surprise his former partner with the Blues. “He is not at his level at Atlético de Madrid, Judge Mathieu. Personally, I think he was wrong to sign for Barca. At Atlético, he had a major role, and I don’t know if this is the case in Barcelona… ”, he explained.
