Pre-season: “We’ve actually started really strongly. You can see it every day. A hard pre-season but then we’re a hard team. We like to work hard and push it to the limit, or go beyond it. It’s going pretty well.”
Arda’s move to Barcelona: “I found out on social media, through a friend that wrote to me straight away. I’m not surprised one bit because he’s a huge player and Barcelona are full of great players and that’s what they normally sign, big players. The first thing I did was phone him to congratulate him. I’m really happy for him. I wish him all the best.”
The return of Filipe Luis: “I’d love him to come back. He’s a great friend and has been a good team-mate. He’s another atleti player. As always, some people will think he isn’t but I think he is. I think he'll receive a warm welcome at the Calderón because he worked his socks off when he was here."
Vietto: “He’s finding it a little tricky but that’s normal. He’s a young guy and has come in from another club, with a different mentality and philosophy, but bit by bit he’ll adapt to the players and the gaffer. I’ve seen him play and he’s got amazing quality; players with a lot of quality normally adapt really well sooner or later."
Role in defence: “I’ll go forward as much as I can and I’ll defend as much as I can. In this team we all work hard, attacking and defending. As I always say, the gaffer is going to get the best out of all of us.”
Fitness: “I feel better every year, both mentally and physically, and it’s something I carry inside with a lot of optimism. I always think that every year I’m going to be better, perform better and this year will be no different. I’m going to play better than last season for sure.”