Juanfran claims Atletico will win Champions League soon

Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran Torres on Thursday said the Spanish football club will win the European Champions League soon, noting that this season "will be better than the last".

"Over the last two seasons we have been very close to the title although it won't be easy to repeat that. Whoever is playing, this team is ready to give the fans a lot of happiness. Atletico will win a Champions League soon," Efe quoted Juanfran as saying.

The 30-year-old underlined the qualities of the Atletico's current squad, believing that "no side in Europe" will want to meet them in the Champions League after their 4-0 win against Kazakhstan's Astana on Wednesday in the third round of the group stage.

"I play to win everything, that's why I've always viewed Atletico as a winning team. We're among the best in Europe and we want to win more titles. I'm convinced that this season will be better than the last one," the Spanish international said.

He also underlined "the intensity of the team; hard-working, ambitious and committed, and able to surpass our own limits".

Juanfran described Argentine head coach Diego Simeone as "the best manager in the world, a perfect guide and a great motivator".

"He is like a second father to me. I'm eternally grateful to him. "He has given my career a new dimension; he's always supported me through the tough times," he added.