Midfielder Koke believes his Atletico Madrid team is the one all other La Liga sides want to beat this season.
In an interview with Sportium News, the Spanish international told of his aspirations for the club this year and made it clear that the reigning champions want more success.
“We are the ones to beat because we are the defending champions. All teams will motivate themselves even more against us, but it’s something that shouldn’t drive us mad.
“We must go into each game with confidence. Real Madrid and Barcelona have reinforced well and every year it gets more difficult to compete with them, because of the difference in budgets, but we’ve shown we can beat anyone,” declared Koke.
“This club is where it should be in terms of history and achievements but we have to live in the present and not the past. We must continue to achieve great things.
“We are all fighting for the same goal. The team is above any individual and some great players have come in to replace those that have left.”
The 22-year-old issued a rallying cry for this season’s Champions League campaign, told of his pride at playing for Los Rojiblancos, and commented on being linked with a move to Barcelona.
“We are going to war in the Champions League because we have earned the respect of everybody.
“Defeat to Real Madrid [in last year’s final] was hard to take but football always gives you a chance for revenge, so we want to continue making history.
“Ever since I was born Atletico has been my life and I love playing for this club. I’m proud Barca wanted me but I preferred to stay here so I could enjoy one of the best times ever.
“Atleti had no need to sell me and I didn’t want to go,” he disclosed.
