Diego Simeone: 'Champions League means a lot'

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has said that the Champions League is a competition that means a lot to the capital side.

Atletico have never won the European Cup, but did reach the final in the 2013-14 season and have been tipped to enjoy another successful campaign this time around.

Ahead of Tuesday's Group C opener against Galatasaray, Simeone revealed that "the motivation is greater" in the European Cup, as well as commenting on the strength of Atletico's opponents in Istanbul.

"Competitions are different. When you start a competition like the Champions League, the motivation is greater," Simeone told AS.

"We always look at the quality of the team, not the form. Galatasaray are very dangerous in attack. It's too early to talk about favourites. We're thinking of the game. We're playing in front of 55,000 people, such a hot team, to me it's risky to say we're favourites.

"I won't say how we will play. Galatasaray's strengths are in attack. The game will have a strong start, intense and aggressive. We'll have to strengthen midfield."

Atletico will be without first-choice left-back Filipe Luis for the clash in Turkey.