"Gameiro can, should and will bring us goals" assures Simeone

Diego Simeone believes that his Atlético side took a lot from today's friendly meeting with Melbourne Victory - even though they lost the game. "I'm happy with the lads who played today - for Theo, for Caio, and for the good first half which Borré had. This match has helped to show what they can do and the alternatives that they will be able to give us in the future".

Simeone had encouraging words about teenage central defender Theo: "He played well - especially in the first half. With Tiago in the centre of the park the team was much better. There were positives which we can take from this - for example it was Diogo Jota's second game with us and we have given playing time to young, upcoming players; and the best way for them to learn is to take part in these kinds of matches, against competitive rivals who force you to battle".

Simeone also spoke about Kevin Gameiro joining Atlético: "He can, should and will bring us goals. He has to gives us goals".

As for the objectives for the new season, El Cholo put it simply: "To improve on what we did last season  - in the league, the Copa and the Champions League. That's the challenge we've set ourselves".

Today's game was Atleti's third of the pre-season - the second in Australia; and now the Rojiblancos have just two further engagements before the new season starts - against Galatasaray next weekend and the Trofeo Carranza in Cádiz. "We are in a part of the pre-season when it is important to look after the players, and that's why not many of those who are going to play on the opening day of the league played this week".

Another positive of the Melbourne match was forward Amath Ndiaye but Simeone was brutally honest about the players chances of getting first team action: "There's Carrasco, Gaitán, Torres, Correa... but Amath who very good at switching pace, he has to work on his final pass and be more clinical in front of goal. But for him and for some of the others the best things is being able to show what they are made of and what level they're at in these kinds of games".

Overall, El Cholo ended: "The experience of being here in Australia has been positive because we have discovered some very good grounds to play at and the people have been great and taken part in the tour. Melbourne Victory are a side who compete well, they did that against Juventus. In our first game, the first team players played and the second game was to give a the young players we wanted to take a look at a run-out. We need to see what alternatives are open to us in the future".