Griezmann struggles symptomatic lacking creativity

For the first time this season, Barcelona scored their fantastic four against Leganes on Saturday, but it was only after Antoine Griezmann left that the winner was scored by his substitute.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Griezmann all started but Giezmann left in the 57th minute before Arturo Vidal poked home in the 79th, fortuitously put on his way as Messi's cross.

Once Barca signed Griezmann from Atletico Madrid last summer for € 120 million, many asked where the Frenchman would work in their packed front line, which would have swelled further if Paris Saint-Germain were to come to terms with a contract for Neymar.

Gerard Pique said key players were even willing to change their contracts to facilitate Neymar's arrival, and while Messi dismissed Griezmann's talk of a rift, doubts remain.

"He's a guy to me who's just arrived–and at a club like Barca, who's playing a bit different from other teams," Clement Lenglet said last month.

"With his talent, his defensive effort, he helps us a lot because he's a player who sacrifices a lot for the team. I don't think Antoine Griezmann has any problem.

Many expected Griezmann to reinforce and eventually replace Suarez down the middle, but Ernesto Valverde was curiously reluctant to pitch him in the closest position to that in which he thrived last season for Atletico.

With Messi indispensable on the right, Griezmann was most frequently used on the left, taking Dembele's place when he struggled for fitness or form, which tended to be frequent in the case of the 22-year-old mercurial.

Yet Griezmann did not look confident, despite the occasional glimpses of greatness such as the two goals he scored against Real Betis in August, which seemed likely to lift his career in Barcelona.

On the contrary, too many matches have gone through him. "I'm learning a different play philosophy and position," Griezmann said last month. "It's necessary to learn, improve and change your movements. You can't get it 100 percent in two months.

"It's going to come and I know my teammates want me the best. I want that too, every day I wish for the best of myself, and I know I'm on the right track. "Griezmann's not alone. Barcelona sit top of La Liga, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference but dreary performances didn't look worthy of Champions League champions and even less, Champions League winners.

They face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday at Camp Nou, on the back of a goalless draw at home to Slavia Prague earlier this month, which means that Group E qualification is far from guaranteed.

Anything but a victory is likely to leave them in a fortnight's time in need of at least one point against Inter Milan at the San Siro.

It would seem unlikely that Valverde will throw Messi, Suarez, Griezmann and Dembele back together for Dortmund, who will be offering a more sterile test than Leganes bottom club.

But his eagerness to roll the dice with four forwards last weekend, and Messi in a deeper role, suggests that he recognizes the lack of creativity and has started reaching for more audacious solutions.

Valverde may also have to be creative in safety. Jordi Alba has a hamstring strain while both Nelson Semedo and Clement Lenglet are dealing with complications with the calf.

Gerard Pique is also absent because he completes a one-match ban, which means that Samuel Umtiti, having made just three appearances this season, could have a spot.