Simao vows to put Atletico “among best teams in Spain”

Portuguese winger targets Champions League qualification

Simao Sabrosa says he feels at home in Spain with Atletico Madrid, after a successful first campaign at the Vicente Calderon, but hopes the club can continue to grow and achieve more next season.

The 28-year-old is currently taking part in the European Championships with Portugal, but speaking to his club’s official website, the former Benfica man reflected on a year in which he helped Atletico to qualification for the Champions League with a 4th place finish in La Liga.

“It’s true that it was a really tough season and really long, above all,” he said. “The team began to play midway through July and the workload was constant due to the games, but that’s something that I’ve always been used to. The team was clear that we were going to accomplish our goal in the end.”

“I’ve felt at home here. I’m very appreciative of my team-mates and the Club in general for how they’ve treated me. All that encourages you to continue growing in order to achieve something important next season.”

Despite last season’s success, Simao is well aware that on his return to the Spanish capital for pre-season, the expectation levels will have risen, and the Rojiblancos supporters will demand more from their team in the 2008/09 campaign.

High hopes

“As they should. And that’s our commitment, to fight to the maximum to make our supporters happy. The first thing that we have to do is place the club amongst the best in Spain and you achieve that with work. This past season was hard, but we reached our goal; now we have to finish it off in August in the play-off round.”

“The Champions League qualifying round? I know from experience that it’s better not to speculate. We’ll play whoever we have to. The important thing is to focus on ourselves and come into that tie in the best shape possible. We shouldn’t be afraid of anybody. I’m convinced that we’ll be in next year’s Champions League.”

Maniche seeking new club

Meanwhile, compatriot Maniche does not expect to return to Atletico this summer, having spent the second half of last season on loan with Inter after a problematic relationship with manager Javier Aguirre.

“Returning is impossible” said the former Porto man, who aims to decide his future “with a calm head”, while also playing down the possibility of working under Jose Mourinho at Inter next year.