Gabi: "It’s going to be a great team"

Gabriel Fernández has been the first Atlético football player who’s appeared in press conference since the team began their pre-season training. The red and white player wanted to stress the great effort the Club is making to keep great players. "I think that although people have gone, the Club’s made a very big effort for players who’ve received important offers and have wanted to stay", he said.

Atlético’s captain pointed out that "The Club is working well, it’s going to be a great team and above all, we’re going to continue competing". He also recalled that to achieve what was achieved last season you need committed people. "Last year was magical for all of us, but we still need people committed to the Club with an idea of the group and of the game. And I think those people have stayed in Atlético de Madrid, which is what’s important", he said.

Our hope is still at its highest and we’ll fight until the end, as we did last year

The boss of the red and white midfield recalled that they have to keep last year’s trajectory. "I think that the idea is clear, continue with the performance we’re having, follow with a game idea, continue competing with the best, which becomes harder each day because the rivals recover very well, they sign high level players and strengthen the teams very well. Each day it’s harder, but still our hope continues at its highest and we’re going to fight until the end as we did last year", he confirmed.

In reference to the new signed players, he predicts a very quick adaptation. "The new players who have come are experienced ones, both Mandzukic and Oblak, are very experienced players. Mandzukic comes from a very large team, from fighting for the titles, so it won’t take long for him to adapt, and the same goes for Oblak", he commented.

In addition, Gabi wanted to leave a message for the fans he believes to follow his team to death since, "I see they’re very hopeful. Every day more people come to see our trainings, they encourage us more. I see people just as happy as when the season ended. We‘re facing a beautiful season, with challenges for all, with a title to play in less than a month. From then on, the fans will get excited as much as we deliver to them", he expressed.