Tiago Mendes was the big star of the session on Wednesday after rejoining the first team after having overcome the physical discomfort that led him to train on the sidelines in recent weeks. The return of midfielder meant that the only man Diego Pablo Simeone was without was the Turkish midfielder Arda Turan, who continued his recovery from an ankle sprain he suffered in the match against Valencia.

After the rest day the Argentine coach gave his men yesterday, the Atletico players went out to train with their minds set in the derby on Saturday at 20.00 in which Real Madrid will be welcomed to the Vicente Calderon stadium. The session, which lasted for an hour and a half, was attended by the youth players Manquillo, Oliver and Saul. The `Profe'Ortega started with the usual training exercises before handing over to Diego Pablo Simeone.

Another Portuguese player Paulo Futre, was also at the Atletico Madrid training session watching the preparation of Diego Pablo Simeone’s men. The Portuguese star, who won the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, is working for a Portuguese television channel but he didn’t miss any details of the red and white’s today.