Atlético de Madrid wanted to avoid surprises and won decisively against Salzburg in the last matchday of the first phase of the Champions League. The red-and-whites secured a 1-4 victory and ensured their place in the top-8, which gives them direct access to the round of 16. Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann twice, and Marcos Llorente were responsible for scoring the team's goals.
Simeone's team will skip the round of 32, but they will face a top-level opponent in the round of 16. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Celtic of Glasgow, or Real Madrid, one of these teams will face Atlético de Madrid. However, from the club, more than being worried about the next match, they are very satisfied with the results achieved in this first round.
The words of a legend
Paulo Futre, one of the greatest legends in Atlético de Madrid's history, dedicated a message to the team through his "X" account. The Portuguese commented: "A great pride to be among the eight best teams in Europe, there are reasons to dream, match by match. Let's go Cholo, let's go stars, let's go fans."
Futre's words reflected the feelings of the red-and-white fans, who are proud of their team's great performance in this edition of the Champions League. Now, with the start of 2025, the key part of the season begins, where you start competing for titles. Futre knows this better than anyone, and that's why he is always the first to send messages of encouragement and congratulations to the team.
The greatest defender of Atlético
Paulo Futre has shown himself over the last two decades as one of the greatest references of the red-and-white club. In sports programs, newspapers, or social media, he has always defended Atlético de Madrid fiercely. He is a regular in Mundo Deportivo, where he writes about the current events of the colchonero club.
He was also a commentator for TVE, but after his famous shout with the goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, he ended his career there. What is certain is that everyone loves the Portuguese, and he loves Atlético de Madrid's fans.