'I am happy at Atletico Madrid' - Diego Forlan rules out summer transfer

The Uruguay international has looked to put an end to speculation surrounding his future by revealing that he intends to honour his contract with the La Liga club

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan has declared he has no intention of leaving the club in the wake of reports linking him with a summer move elsewhere.

Tottenham, Juventus and Besiktas have all been credited with an interest in the 32-year-old, who this season was unable to build on the form he showed for Uruguay during the 2010 World Cup.

However, the former Manchester United forward has insisted he has no plans to leave the club before 2013, when his current deal expires.

"Atletico's new project seduces me a lot," Forlan said in an interview on his official website. "Last season was very hard personally.

"Many lies were said and I did not have the chance to show my football on the field.

"This is a good year to put Atletico back along the best, like we have done before.

"I have two more years on my contract and I plan to see it out, because I am very happy here."

Questioned about Uruguay's chances at the upcoming Copa America, Forlan stressed he does not think his side are favourites.
He added: "We have a good team, but that is not a guarantee. The level of all the teams is very high and it will be hard, but we will go in with a lot of hope."

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Diego Forlan reveals he has advised David de Gea to join Manchester United – La Liga news

Diego Forlan reveals he has advised David de Gea to join Manchester United – La Liga news

Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Forlan, has revealed that he has advised teammate David de Gea to join English giants, Manchester United. He stated that the young goalkeeper has a bright future and he would surely be in the right hands if he moves to England.

David de Gea has been heavily linked with a move to English Premier League champions, Manchester United, in this summer’s transfer window. Edwin Van der Sar is set to retire after playing his last match for the Red Devils, the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson had admitted earlier this week that the player is close to put pen on paper and that the deal will be completed in the following week.

Forlan said that de Gea had asked him about the transfer to United and that he wanted advice regarding the situation. The Uruguayan, who played for Manchester United himself, claimed that it is the best place for the youngster to be and that he should go for it.

“David is a very good keeper with a bright future. He asked my advice about moving to United and we talked about it a lot,” the striker was quoted as saying in an interview.

The World Cup Golden Ball winner insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson is a legend and it is the best possible experience the 20-year old can get. He admitted that he did not have the best of times at Old Trafford but still the crowd was very supportive and behind him.

“It is a great place to experience as a player. The manager is a legend, the staff is all really good and the fans were always very supportive of me, even when I wasn't scoring,” he concluded.

David de Gea has made a total of 46 appearances for Los Rojiblancos and kept 24 clean sheets in the process. The goalkeeper could turn out to be a brilliant signing for the Red Devils as he has sufficient first-team experience at the highest level and is still young.

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Beşiktaş to sign Uruguayan star Forlan

Atletico Madrid’s Uruguayan star Diego Forlan has agreed to sign a deal with Spor Toto Super League side Beşiktaş, Turkish media reported on Sunday.

Fenerbahçe, another Turkish football giant, had been trying to transfer Forlan for two years when Beşiktaş became the new team of the 31-year-old. The İstanbul team has been showing off this season with star transfers, including Real Madrid’s Guti Hernandez, Ricardo Quaresma and Simao Sabrosa. The club’s president, Yıldırım Demirören, earlier said they were making next season’s team, as Beşiktaş fell behind their goals this season, having been eliminated from the Europa League early and now sitting at sixth place in the domestic league.

The team seeks to win the coveted Turkish Cup, which they have already been qualified to play in the finals for, to take part in European competitions next season.

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Harry Redknapp admits Diego Forlan is out of Tottenham's reach as he looks for a new striker

Price an issue as Spurs boss scours the market for a top marksmen after admitting his current crop of frontmen have not scored enough goals this season.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said that although Spurs have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan, they have no chance of signing the Uruguayan this summer.

Redknapp is seeking a proven goalscorer after admitting his current strikers have not scored as many as they should have done, but former Manchester United star Forlan is, it seems, out of his reach.

"We can't afford him. He's on about £120k a week or something," Redknapp said in an article in The Telegraph.

"If you work it out on a two or three-year contract, you're talking about £28 million and there's no return on your money."

Tottenham have enjoyed a fine season to date, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and remaining in contention to qualify for next year's competition.

But midfielders Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale are Spurs' top scorers in the Premier League this term, with 12 and seven goals, respectively, and Redknapp wants more from his strikers.

"It's been one of those years," he said. "Normally [Jermain] Defoe would have had 18 goals by now. He hasn't got them this year, Crouchy [Peter Crouch] hasn't scored many, he's scored his goals in Europe. We're still in it without the frontmen having scored the goals they should have done."

"I'd like to get another front man if I can. They're difficult to find though.
"We went for [Villarreal's Giuseppe] Rossi last year and he was suddenly £35 million. We could have had him before for £18 million. But we didn’t do it.

"We're looking for strikers, not £35 million ones, they're hard to find because everyone's looking for them. That’s why [Fernando] Torres was £50 million. The good ones cost fortunes, don’t they?”

"It would be up to the chairman [in terms of the cost]. But we've been chasing all around the world, looking for people. They all cost big money."

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Diego Forlan could play for any club in the world - Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has stated that Diego Forlan is good enough to play for any club in the world.

The supremo's comments follow the player's outburst earlier this month when he said he would consider a move in the summer after he fell out of favour with Atleti coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

"Forlan is a great player and could play for any team in the world," Cerezo beamed to Marca.

Cerezo was then asked once again to comment on the future of Sergio Aguero and David de Gea.

Falling short of confirming the pair's commitment to the Madrid club, Cerezo conceded: "there will be few casualties at the end of the season."

Atletico are six in the Liga table, eight points behind Villarreal in the race for the final Champions League spot.

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Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero eager to reach 100 goals in La Liga

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero believes he can reach the 100-goal mark for the club before the end of the term.
His two goals in the 4-1 win over Levante took him to 97 goals for the Rojiblancos in La Liga since joining the capital city club in 2006 from Independiente - making him Atletico's 10th top-scorer of all time.

And with five games to go until the end of the season, the 22-year-old, who has scored 16 in 27 games, believes he can reach 100 goals.

"Right now I am going through a good run and I hope to continue for the good of the team as this is the most important thing," he told the club's official website.

"Goals are worthless if the team is not going to achieve their objectives. We need to play in Europe next season.

"My challenge is to try to reach 100 goals before the end of the season and will be proud if I succeed."

Atleti are sixth in La Liga on 49 points and they meet Deportivo la Coruna next.

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Atletico Madrid's Quique Sanchez Flores happy with his side's form after Levante win

Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores has declared that he is happy with his side's form following their 4-1 victory over Levante.

The victory moves the Madrid-based team up to sixth in the Primera Division table and they are looking good for qualification for next season's Europa League.

Flores believes that qualifying for Europe and the club's UEFA Super Cup success back in August will represent a good season for the side.

"The team started the season well. The middle was not so good but we are finishing strongly. If we finish in the European places combined with our title [UEFA Super Cup] then it would not have been a bad year," the coach told Spanish media after the Levante win.

Despite the comfortable Sergio Aguero-inspired victory, his striking partner Diego Forlan's reaction to being substituted was a sour note on the victory.

"I understand that it is a difficult time for him but the coach has to make decisions and decide what is best for the team," he added.

Atletico are up against Deportivo next weekend where they will be hoping to continue their impressive form.

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Forlan: Manchester United could beat Barcelona

Diego Forlan has told Sir Alex Ferguson his team can beat FC Barcelona – in the Champions League Final at Wembley, if they were to meet.

The former United striker is backing his previous employers not just to beat Chelsea in the quarter-finals but to put up a big challenge to Europe’s best.

“Manchester United can beat Barcelona in the Champions League Final this year – if they meet,” said the Uruguay and Atletico Madrid striker.

“I know what happened in 2009 when Barca won the final between them easily but I still think it is better for United to play them in one match, not home and away.

“I would be more optimistic now, especially this season when the one match would be at Wembley.”

“No team is unbeatable. You get a goal against them or they have injuries for a big match, whatever. That’s football for you, these things happen.”

Plenty of football to be played before a possible Champions League Final meeting between the two clubs, but it’s always interesting to hear from ex-players.

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Diego Forlán pode realizar sonho do pai e vestir a camisa do São Paulo

Uma bomba atômica. Foi com esse termo que a diretoria do São Paulo classificou uma possível contratação para reforçar a equipe a partir do mês de agosto, quando a janela de transferências do Exterior será reaberta. Um nome que está na alça de mira dos dirigentes é o uruguaio Diego Forlán, de 31 anos, eleito o melhor jogador da última Copa do Mundo, na África do Sul, e que atualmente veste a camisa do Atlético de Madri (ESP).

Diego Forlan pode reforçar o São Paulo no segundo semestre da atual temporada 

Segundo notícia divulgada pelo comentarista do Sportv Luiz Ademar, as negociações entre as duas partes estão avançadas. O uruguaio vê com bons olhos uma transferência para o futebol brasileiro para ficar mais perto de sua família e para vestir a camisa do time onde seu pai fez história na década de 70. E o clube espanhol até topa negociar o jogador, desde que o Tricolor coloque um dos seus atletas da base na negociação. O alvo principal era Lucas, que, no entanto, é considerado inegociável pela equipe do Morumbi. Quem pode entrar na negociação é Casemiro.

Isso porque o volante tem cometido alguns deslizes internos. Assim como Alex Silva, o camisa 29 chegou atrasado a alguns treinos e foi advertido pelos dirigentes. Uma negociação por empréstimo, com o preço do passe fixado, pode ser uma alternativa.

Em entrevista à rádio Jovem Pan, o pai de Diego, Pablo Forlán, disse que seria maravilhoso ver o filho com a camisa tricolor.

- Seria bonito ver meu filho atuando em um estádio tão maravilhoso como o Morumbi. Ele e o Luis Fabiano formariam um ataque formidável. Conversei com o Diego hoje e ele não sabe de nada, mas acredito que uma negociação seria viável. Não é a primeira vez que se fala nessa possibilidade e sei que um dia isso irá acontecer. Ele tem mais dois anos de contrato com o Atlético, mas acho que um acordo poderia acontecer. Sem dúvida nenhuma, o Diego gostaria de jogar em um clube como o São Paulo – afirmou.
Pablo diz que um acerto salarial com o filho também não seria difícil.

- O futebol brasileiro hoje está forte, pagando muito bem, mais do que alguns times da Europa. Basta ver que o Luis Fabiano, que é um atacante completo e que teria muita lenha para queimar na Europa, resolveu voltar para o São Paulo. Dinheiro não seria problema até porque o clube sempre paga em dia – ressaltou.

Oficialmente, o vice-presidente de futebol do Tricolor, Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva, nega qualquer tipo de negociação. O que não significa que ela não possa estar ocorrendo. Quando o clube do Morumbi fechou com Cleber Santana, em janeiro do ano passado, quem tratou da negociação foi o presidente Juvenal Juvêncio, que não avisou ninguém da diretoria.

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New Forlan heading for Chelsea as Blues invite Uruguay starlet Mascia for talks

Chelsea have invited the heir to Diego Forlan's throne for talks at Stamford Bridge.

Juan Cruz Mascia, 17, is keen to move to the Premier League and his club Miramar are reported to be willing to let him go.

The tall teenager was top scorer in the South American Under 17 championship with six goals as Uruguay finished runner-up to Brazil.

 Mascia (No 13) He Scored Six goals In 9 Matches in the Under 17 tournament

 Mascia is rated as one of the hottest prospects in Uruguay and veteran striker Forlan is a big fan of the youngster.

Chelsea have moved quickly as Mascia has caught the eye of several clubs in the English top flight while his form has also been noted in Italy and Spain.

Uruguay legend Forlan (No 10) likes what he sees in Mascia

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Atletico Madrid's Raul Garcia: Diego Costa should start against Real Sociedad

Spaniard Raul Garcia fully believes that Diego Costa should start in tomorrow's Liga match ahead of either Forlan or Aguero because of his match-winning hat-trick last week

Atletico Madrid man Raul Garcia thinks that Diego Costa should get the nod ahead of Sergio Aguero or Diego Forlan in attack for the Mattress Makers against Real Sociedad this weekend following his hat-trick against Osasuna last time out.

However he realises that the coach, Quique Sanchez Flores, makes the final decision as the club look to earn maximum points in the final furlong of the league campaign.

The Pamplona native told Spanish publication AS, "Diego Costa has played his way into the team I think. Fortunately though, I'm not the one to decide whether or not to play Costa. It is true that after the three goals he got against Osasuna he has to play but the coach is the person who decides what is best for the team,'' he added.

The 24-year-old Spaniard hopes the coach shows belief in him for the remaining eight games of La Liga season, "The coach knows he can count on me for any of these games. Of course I want to play and compete for the clash against Real Sociedad. The coach will think of the opponent we have and assess what is best for everyone. The goal is for the rest of the league is to win the 24 points, we cannot fail again,'' he finished bullishly.
Diego Costa's three goal salvo last week rescued Atletico Madrid and tagged on another three points. They now lie only three points off a Europa League spot and Garcia will be hoping his team's late surge will help secure them European football for next season.

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Tottenham contemplate renewed swoop for Diego Forlan

Tottenham will reportedly make a renewed approach for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan in the summer.

The north London club were known to have been tracking the 31-year-old during the January transfer window but ultimately failed to strike a deal with Atleti.

Spurs were monitoring the Uruguay international with great interest, and Harry Redknapp attended Atletico's Copa Del Rey quarter-final against Real Madrid in January to run the rule over the forward.

However, whilst admitting an interest in the player, the Tottenham manager claimed a deal would not represent financial sense for the White Hart Lane club.

“Diego Forlan has been mentioned but we are not going to get near their wages,” the Spurs boss said at the time.

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Diego Forlan Takes Estonian Citizenship

In a move termed "slimy" by FIFA management, footballer Diego Forlan has renounced his Uruguayan citizenship to become an Estonian

Forlan has refuted claims that Harry Männil, a wealthy Estonian businessman in Central America thought by some to be dead, paid him an undisclosed sum to move to Estonia's national team.

"I was in Tallinn hanging out at Nimeta pub and I met a waitress there," said Forlan. "Is that such an unusual story for a foreigner in Tallinn?"

Forlan said he will take up residence immediately with Ilona in her family's Lasnamäe flat. "It is a bit crowded at the moment, but we are looking for an Old Town place." Forlan urged real estate agents to reach him via Skype (Skype name: NewGEP-10).

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Manchester United goalkeeper search intensifies as agent confirms talks with Atletico Madrid's David De Gea

Manchester United have held talks over a move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea, the player's agent, Hector Rincon, has confirmed.

The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford during the summer as the Red Devils ramp up their search for Edwin van der Sar's replacement.

Rincon told sport.co.uk: “Well, we did have talks with Manchester United but, first of all, they always look for an agreement with the club.

“Anyway, most of the biggest European teams have shown interest in David de Gea.”

Asked whether Atletico were prepared to sell their star goalkeeper, Rincon suggested that United may have to pay full minimum fee inserted into the player's contract.

“You would have to ask the club," he said. "What I can tell you is that his release clause now is €20 million, but I have no idea if the club would sell him for less.

"Right now, the player has a contract with Atletico Madrid and if Manchester United or any other team want him they will have to reach an agreement or pay the whole release clause.”

He added that several other English clubs have asked about the youngster's situation, and that Wigan had attempted to buy the player before he burst onto the scene.

“Well, some time ago, before he became an important player in Atletico, Wigan made an offer, but the club rejected it," said Rincon.

"Recently, I don't want to say any names but all the big clubs in England and in Europe have asked about him.”

Meanwhile, The Times claim that if the two parties are unable to reach an understanding, then United could make a move for Schalke's Manuel Neuer.

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Diego Forlán refuses to rule out return to Premier League

Diego Forlán has insisted that despite all the talk, Tottenham Hotspur did not make a "proper offer" for him during the winter transfer window. The Atlético Madrid and Uruguay striker, though, refused to rule out the possibility of a move back to the Premier League in the summer.

Forlán, who previously spent two and a half years at Manchester United, was prominent on the Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's list of January targets. Redknapp made a well-documented personal check on Forlán, when he was robbed outside Atlético's Vicente Calderón stadium by pickpockets.

Forlán was one of several players that Tottenham inquired about. The others included Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi, Luís Fabiano of Sevilla and Forlán's Atlético team-mate Sergio Agüero.

It is believed that Tottenham indicated they were willing to pay €15m (£13.15) for Forlán but the 31-year-old said he had heard of nothing concrete. "There was no offer," he said. "There was a lot of talking but there was not a proper offer. Yes, Harry Redknapp came to watch me, they said that… he got robbed. It was a funny story.

"You are always flattered by every interest of every team, and also about Tottenham but in the end, there was nothing firm. There was not any offer on the table. There was a lot of speculation ... nothing else."

Forlán was asked whether he would be open to the possibility of a transfer to the Premier League in the summer. "You never know," he said. "I have two more years of contract at Atlético. I don't know what's going to happen. I continue playing and if there is any team that wants me, they have to make a good offer and then you will see. But at the moment, I don't think anything because there is nothing."

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Forlan vows to give Ireland a tough time as Uruguay seek return to winning ways

Striker Diego Forlan has promised the Republic of Ireland's younger players Uruguay will not cut them any slack when the sides meet in Dublin.

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni named a largely inexperienced team to face the World Cup semi-finalists at the Aviva Stadium after sending the likes of Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and Kevin Kilbane home in the wake of Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier victory over Macedonia.

That means starts for 20-year-old James McCarthy and Ciaran Clark, 21, in a side which boasts a total of just 103 senior caps, six fewer than Kilbane alone.

However, Atletico Madrid star Forlan insists the South Americans will treat the Irish team just as they would any other.

He said: 'They played a qualifying game on Saturday and some of the players have been playing a lot of games and have been rested.

'But we came here to play a nice game against Ireland. It doesn't matter who they are playing, we are going to do our best to win the game.

'I know the team, I have been watching some games and we are always watching players. We know it will be a really tough team with good players.

'It doesn't matter whether they are young or old, every player all over the world when they get the chance to play for their national team is going to try to do their best. In this case we expect that.'

Uruguay arrived in Dublin to be greeted by bright sunshine, a far cry from the conditions they found in Tallin on Friday night as they slipped to a surprise 2-0 defeat by Estonia.

The game was played in freezing temperatures and with snow falling, and while there was a chill in the air at the Aviva Stadium the following evening, Forlan admitted the conditions when he and his team-mates trained there on Monday were far more to his liking.

He said: 'This is like summer for us after being in Estonia, where it was really freezing. We played quite well in the first half, but in the second half, the pitch was very hard and it was difficult for us.'

Uruguay will be without injured Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, but the man who played alongside him at last summer's World Cup finals in South Africa has not been at all surprised by how quickly he has found his feet in the English game since his £22.8million January move to Anfield.

Forlan said: 'I'm really happy for him. He's a good friend and he's at a good club. The way he is doing it now is really nice and I hope he will continue doing that.

'I think he's a great player - he showed that at the World Cup and with Ajax. He has this opportunity and now he is doing really well.'

Forlan, of course, had his own spell in the Premier League with Manchester United earlier in his career, and has been linked with a return to England in recent months. However, he remained diplomatic when asked about the speculation.

He said: 'It would have to be really good offer. At the moment there is none, so I didn't consider anything.

'But at the moment, I have two years more of a contract at Atletico Madrid and it's a good team and I am happy there. You never know.'

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Sergio Aguero: I Want To Stay With Atletico Madrid As Long As Possible

'Kun' Aguero appreciates the interest shown in him by big clubs but he has expressed his desire to see out his deal which runs until 2014
Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero has underlined his commitment to the club amid rumours of an imminent departure this summer. 'El Kun' has been linked to a host of Europe's top clubs, including arch-rivals Real Madrid.

But the striker has pointed to the fact that his deal with Atleti runs for another three years and he he says would like to build on their Europa League success from last season.

''I want to stay with Atletico for as long as I can. I am very comfortable at the club now. I will try to keep winning titles here because that's what every player wants. I signed until 2014 and I hope to stay beyond this year,'' the defiant youngster told the club's official website.

On the speculation over a possible summer transfer, he responded: ''It's always appreciated if top clubs are interested in you. There are many comments that have been raised about my future but I'm quiet, they don't affect me. I'm honest with myself.''

Aguero has been linked with a move away from Los Rojiblancos for some time now, with father-in-law Diego Maradona on record as saying "I see Sergio at Real Madrid". Despite the speculation, Aguero is enjoying a fine season, netting a brace last weekend to take his tally for the year to 18 goals, ensuring Atleti are in contention to clinch a Europa League spot for next season.
 

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Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan: I Would Consider Move To Serie A

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan has revealed that he would be willing to make a switch to Italy's Serie A, but only if the right offer came in.

The 31-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital since last summer, with clubs such Juventus said to be in the hunt.

Forlan has in disappointing form this season for the Colchoneros but is still one of the more prized transfer targets, and has further fueled speculation regarding his future by saying that he is ready for adventure in Italy.

When asked about a move to Serie A by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Manchester United forward said:"I do not exclude that in the future, if a good offer came to me and the club, a proposal that was not only suitable economically but also from the perspective that it was an important club, [then] I would accept."

Atletico Madrid are fighting for a place in the top-six in the Spanish Primera Division at the moment and confront Real Madrid in the derby this weekend.

Looking ahead to the encounter, Forlan enthused, "It's strange, we have strengthened the team and we're not getting results. Perhaps we have had too many injuries, but we're still working calmly.

"For the fans, the media interest and passion of the public, Atletico is not a lesser club than Real Madrid. It is a great club, not only in Spain but the world."

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Comunicado de prensa de Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo

La firma de abogados ha hecho públicos varios puntos

 En relación al Informe que Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo, como firma de abogados, emitió el pasado 25 de enero de 2011, a petición de la Asociación Señales de Humo, relativo al CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, S.A.D., se comunica lo siguiente:

1) La firma Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo ha podido comprobar, tras la emisión del Informe, que los datos e informaciones que le fueron suministrados por la Asociación Señales de Humo para que sirvieran de soporte a su Informe, eran inexactos, incompletos e incluso erróneos, por lo que las conclusiones extraídas de los mismos en su Informe carecen por completo de validez jurídica y del exigible rigor técnico.

2) La firma Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo revoca expresamente todas las opiniones vertidas en el Informe, el cual deja sin efecto alguno, solicitando a la Asociación Señales de Humo que se abstenga de hacer cualquier uso, público o privado, del Informe.

3) La firma Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo lamenta profundamente el daño que haya podido causar la emisión del Informe al CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, así como a Don Enrique Cerezo Torres y Don Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, en su calidad de Presidente y Consejero Delegado del Club.

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Diego Godin in defence of his teammate Diego Forlan

Diego Godin has spoken out in defence of his teammate Diego Forlan, who has struggled to hit the net all season.
Godin, who turns out with Forlan for the Uruguayan national team as well, has seen first-hand what the striker is capable of, having played together at the 2010 World Cup, where Forlan went on to win the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament.

The normally-lethal striker, who was won the Pichichi trophy, awarded to La Liga's top scorer of each season, twice before, has struggled to translate last summer's exploits onto the club stage this year, having only netted nine goals from 31 games in all competitions.
Atletico manager Quique Sanchez Flores has recently stated that Forlan and his striker partner Sergio Aguero need to start firing soon if the club are to have any chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

However, Godin has since defended his compatriot, suggesting it was the team's performance as a whole that was starving the frontman of goalscoring opportunities.
"No one [at the club] is against Forlan. He always wants to score and perhaps he needs more to feel confident, but he is doing well," Godin was reported as saying by Marca.com.

"Against Getafe there were not many clear chances on goal, and perhaps the lack of goals are noticed from Forlan as he is the one leading the team forwards."

With a match against fellow European qualification contenders Villarreal on Saturday, Godin has asked his team to focus solely on the clash.

"We cannot think about losing as we have aspirations for European football."
"Villarreal are a tough team to beat as they play really well. We must do our best and improve on mistakes. It will be a hard game."

Atletico are currently 8th in La Liga, fifteen points behind fourth-placed Villarreal, and will be looking to kickstart their climb to European qualification with a win this weekend.

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