Arda Turan has reflected on the importance of defeating Porto and how the team remain focused only ever on their next game.
Atleti continued their strong start to the season on Tuesday evening by becoming the first team in five years to win a game away to Porto at the Estadio do Dragao, in the second round of the Champions League group stage.
“Porto was a very difficult match,” mused Arda in conversation with his club’s official website today.
“We came off the back of the derby and it was complicated both physically and from a concentration point of view, but the truth is that we have put in a very good performance. We did what we had to do.
“Our winning run? The truth is that now we have a great team. We are happy. We managed to win fighting.
“The result in Porto is great. This win puts us first and with great confidence for the coming games.”
The club have notably adopted a game-by-game mantra since Diego Simeone’s arrival as Coach.
“The truth is that no-one in the team thinks further into the future than the next game. I know everyone says that we only talk about the next game, but it's true.
“In our head every game is a final and our next final is on Sunday against Celta. Maybe people do not like it, but that is the style of Atletico, is the Cholo style.
“Our standard is this, we have very good players. We have superstars like Villa and Diego Costa, and all the players make a solid group.
“This is the secret of Atletico, who are always together and always fighting together.”
Arda netted Atleti’s winning goal last night by latching on to a disguised pass into the penalty area from Gabi Fernandez’s free-kick.
“I’m happy but not only to have scored, but because the whole team was great. We worked hard.
“We work every day on strategy, tactics, learning more and more, and this goal has been the result of that work.”
Work will now focus on facing Celta Vigo this coming weekend in Week 8 of La Liga.
“Before stopping for the international matches, people may not realise it, but this game is a very difficult game.
“We come from a very difficult games with lots of physical and mental demands. And the most important game is Celta on Sunday.
“So what we need is that at the Calderon is full to create the right atmosphere so that our fans are with us and help us.
“On Sunday, more than ever we need the support of our fans. With the Calderon full games are always easier.”
