Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde said Antoine Griezmann has to come into play more following his underwhelming league bow for the La Liga champion.
Griezmann made his first La Liga appearance for Barca, which suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in its opening fixture Friday.
A €120 million signing from Atletico Madrid, all eyes were on Griezmann, but he struggled to make an impact in absence of captain Lionel Messi, while Luis Suarez's first-half injury left him isolated.
"If he's near the area, he is decisive and moves well, but you have to dominate the game for that to happen," Valverde told reporters.
"Putting him on the left side, we know that you are going to focus on the goal, but we have a side and players that can hold the game. Of course, he is aware that we all expect a lot from many players and have to seek to get more into the game."
RELATED | Aduriz matches Messi feat with sensational winner against Barcelona
Suarez left San Mames just after the half-hour mark due to an apparent calf injury away to Athletic.
The Uruguayan veteran had to be substituted moments after hitting the post, which would have given two-time reigning champions Barca the lead.
Valverde added: "He has a muscular problem and we have to wait for the tests. In the second half, when we were around Athletic's area, we missed him."
Barca eventually succumbed to Athletic, which triumphed thanks to veteran Aritz Aduriz's stunning overhead kick in the 89th minute. The 38-year-old made an immediate impact off the bench, meeting Ander Capa's cross in sensational fashion to seal all three points.
"With Aduriz, any ball in the air is a danger and he got his goal," former Athletic boss Valverde said. "That move is dominant, and he's scored similar goals. When I saw him line it up... I wasn't surprised with the execution at all."
Comments
SHARE