Simeone happy with Torres

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has praised Fernando Torres’ purple patch of form this season.

Simeone has incorporated new signings Luciano Vietto and Jackson Martinez–alongside Torres and Antoine Griezmann–into his side this term, but the combination of Griezmann and Torres has proved to be Atleti’s best striker combination thus far. 

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Getafe, Simeone said: “[Torres is] in really good shape. He came in really well prepared from the preseason where he worked really well. 

“He needs to have a lot demanded of him and we’re demanding a lot of him, in line with his quality. Last year he did well. He’s competing really well and giving us options up front which is what we need.”

Meanwhile, Simeone and co. will be without key midfielder Koke on Tuesday.

“He’s such an important player for us,” Simeone said.

“He has so much – passing the ball between the lines, good at dead-ball situations and understanding perfectly what we need from the midfielders. But we’re working well with other lads who are hoping for their chance.

“We’re still seeing how the players are recovering from Saturday. We’re just back from a recovery training session. During lunch on the day of the game we’ll decide [the lineup].”

La Liga Betting Odds | Tuesday, 22 September 2015 | Atletico Madrid (3/10) v. Getafe (16/1); Draw (5/1)

Bellerin happy at Arsenal

Arsenal F.C. defender Hector Bellerin has revealed his delight with his decision to leave Barcelona for the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2011. 

Bellerin, who signed a long-term deal with the Gunners in July, joined the Gunners from Barca as a 16-year-old, and insists he is happy he made the switch.

“It has paid off,” Bellerin said. “I am very happy with the decision I made. It was hard, but I always say the train comes just once and you either take it or you don’t.

“I took it and I am very happy with the opportunity Arsenal have given me and very happy to be in the position I am in today.

“I’ve always said the reason I came to Arsenal is because I want to stay here and I am not thinking about going anywhere else.”

Recalling his time at La Masia, Bellerin added: “Barcelona is an academy where you are taught to play the Barcelona way, all the players can play the ball well and it’s all the same philosophy since you are young to playing in the first team.

“That’s very important, even young players when they come into the first team they know what to do because they have been doing it for years.”

Bellerin, 20, has started five of six English Premier League fixtures for Arsenal this season.