Simao ready to make his mark at high-flying Atletico

Portuguese winger nears full fitness

Atletico Madrid winger Simao Sabrosa says he is getting closer to full fitness, after an injury-troubled start to his career with the La Liga outfit.

Having moved to the Spanish capital from Benfica during the close season, the 27-year-old has struggled to make much of an impact at the Vicente Calderon, partly due to niggling problems with fitness.

“I am doing a lot better. I still have a bit of discomfort, but we are working hard to make the pain go away,” he told the press on Monday. “I’m feeling well and I am in the proper condition to represent the team.”

Simao was an unused substitute as his team-mates secured the result of their season so far, beating Real Zaragoza 4-0 on Sunday evening, but the Portuguese international insists that the team will not get carried away.

“Grand night”

“The team played a great game against Zaragoza. We benefited from this and enjoyed ourselves, and this is in addition to the four goals we scored. It was a grand night.

“When you play a good game, you always think that you can accomplish great things and go far, but we want to go from match-to-match calmly. It’s important not to think about the end of the season, but instead we must think about the next game.

“It’s very important to be strong at home. We must always win there. We cannot give away points, they are very important. The league is very competitive. There are many great teams fighting for one thing, and each and every one of them has great qualities. Competition is fundamental in the Spanish League, that’s why it’s so distinguished and great.”


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