Filipe: "This season we will grow, we're going back for more"
The reigning Confederations Cup champion made it clear at a press conference that this Atletico Madrid has no limit. The work and hunger will allow them to keep growing in the Champions League season.
The Atletico Madrid preseason will be a key to the future success of Atletico. The Brazilian knows the importance of it and approaches the hard training normally. "The preseason is good. Being prepared gives you fuel for the entire season. It's not that hard because we have plenty of time to sleep in the afternoon and rest. It is not easy to get up early but training is fun and goes fast," he said.
Filipe Luis explained why he returned eary to Atletico from his holidays. "Throughout my career, I have experiences in Brazil, Deportivo La Coruna and my first season here, I missed the start of training camp and then I had a hard time catching up. I talked to the trainer and have come to the conclusion that the best thing for me is to be competing and taking the optimal training with my teammates. I am at Atletico Madrid and next year's World Cup in my country so I can not afford to wait a few months to get in shape. I am delighted to be here with my teammates."
For the Brazilian player, Atletico Madrid must keep learning and growing because it has the capacity to be much bigger things. Far from content with a season like last year, the Brazilian said the team is hungry for more. "When you go through so much trouble to get where you have gotten things cease to amaze. This team can grow, can give more. There is no limit to this team, the national team or myself. We will grow, individually and the team and I'm not surprised by last year. Being at Atletico Madrid is always difficult because the competition is very big and the pressure is enormous. You have to be good always, on top form because if not, you're out. The next season is very exciting and I am here early to work with my colleagues to get as high as possible."
The left full back of Atletico approved the signing of David Villa as a great success due to the desire of the Spaniard to succeed in the Madrid team. "Villa is a player who is good at losing his man and finding space. We did that last year and the football went very well. I think it's a great signing, it is a great success, not only because of everything he stands for in Spanish football but he’s not going to need much time to adapt. It been scoring goals in this league for years and most importantly, he’s hungry, which is what we need to continue growing and competing as always" he said.
Finally, he also had words of praise for his compatriot Leo Baptistão. "He’s a very young player with great quality. I saw him yesterday in training and he brings something different. He has a particular playing style and it is clear he will be a great player in the future. Atletico put faith in Adrian years ago and it paid off winning titles and getting to play at a high level. I'm sure Leo will go the same way. He has style and a stride different from others. He has a lot of class and the fans will love him," he concluded.