The midfielder insists they will fight to top their success of 2013-14, while defender Juanfran has warned of over-confidence before the derby
Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke is determined to help the team achieve even greater success than in the 2013-14 season in the current campaign.
Diego Simeone’s side clinched the Liga title in dramatic fashion with a draw against Barcelona on the final day and reached the final of the Champions League last term, and while Koke admits it will be tough to live up to such standards, he is confident the capability is in the squad to do even better.
“It’s very difficult to repeat last season, but we have the drive and the power to do even better,” he said in a Q & A session via the club’s Facebook page.
“The truth is important players have left, people who add strength to the team, but now new people have arrived with a huge hunger for trophies. We have already won the Supercopa and we’ll continue to fight in everything we do.”
Koke is fully fired up for the Madrid derby this weekend as the Rojiblancos look to take another scalp from their city rivals.
“As a footballer, you live the passion, because I’ve always played derbies between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid since I was small. I’m proud to wear the Atletico shirt in the derby,” the 22-year-old added.
Defender Juanfran, however, has made it clear that his side will not head into the game with any complacency.
“We never get too over-confident at this club, whether it’s against Real Madrid or anyone for that matter,” he is quoted as saying by AS.
“We play the game to win and leave the confidence in the dressing room. The derbies are always evenly matched. The Madrid fans already see us through different eyes.
“If we play well then hopefully we can win at the [Santiago] Bernabeu, as we have done before.”