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The Weekly Rojiblanco: Snake in the Grass Edition

Suarez shenanigans, Thomas renews and that Griezmann guy finds form.

FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid - Copa Del Rey Semi-final: Second Leg Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
  • Luis Suárez, amirite?

Hi Atléticos, and welcome to another Weekly Rojiblanco. I’m going to dive right into the most ridiculous and yet completely predictable story of the week. In case you missed it, notorious Barcelona striker Luis Suárez spent the closing minutes of his side’s match against Girona on Saturday desperately trying to get booked.

Suárez is sitting one yellow shy of a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation making his intentions painfully transparent—draw a suspension against Girona, sit out against Las Palmas Thursday, enter the match against Atlético Madrid on Sunday with a clean slate. Thankfully, the ref wised up to such nonsense, and while Suárez did not pick up a card on Thursday, his tentative play did his side no favors in a 1-1 draw.

Such behavior is par for the course for Suárez given his dubious appreciation for the laws of the game (and other people’s personal space), and now it seems that his actions may backfire. LaLiga president Javier Tebas issued some strong words on Tuesday, suggesting that Suárez may yet face discipline for his troubles.

  • Milestone for Griezmann

I can’t say enough about Antoine Griezmann’s brace of braces yesterday against Leganés and if you haven’t already, take a look at Robbie’s analysis of Griezy’s stunning run of form. Beyond the immediate impact of recent performances, Griezmann’s first goal yesterday was his 100th for the club across all competitions.

While Griezmann remains the center of rampant transfer speculation—and his performance yesterday saw a flurry of new clickbait to that effect—here’s hoping that he sticks it out for the next 100 in red and white.

  • Partey Renews

There was some exciting news yesterday in the form of a contract renewal for Thomas Partey. The renewal will keep the 24-year-old Ghanaian with los colchoneros until 2023. Thomas has had a breakout season, becoming a key member of Diego Simeone’s midfield and showing more than depth piece potential. AS say the release clause in his new contract is €80m.