Quique Setien defends his decision to bench Griezmann against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona manager Quique Setien has defended his decision to drop Antoine Griezmann to the bench until injury-time in the 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid in the La Liga on Tuesday evening at the Camp Nou.

Setien stated afterwards, “I see him well, but it is necessary to decide, perhaps it was not logical to put him on, but worse was not to do it.

I did not do it before because those who were on were doing well, Riqui, Messi, Suárez. Finding a place is not easy without destabilising the team.

“I do not entirely agree (that it was humiliating). Putting him on with so little time is hard for a player of his level. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I’m not going to apologise, but I fully understand that he may feel bad.”

On the result, Setien added: “It’s a shame, we have it more and more complicated. We move away from the title but we have to keep working. Atlético have been a good team.”
Meanwhile, Atletico coach Diego Simeone was asked about Griezmann’s treatment.
“I’m speechless,” he replied. “I have no words.”

Griezmann later introduced 91st minute and has no meaningful impact in the game.