Diego Simeone targets Europa League success for Fernando Torres

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has insisted that winning the Europa League "would be the icing on the cake" for departing striker Fernando Torres.

The 34-year-old announced earlier this week that he will continue his career away from the Wanda Metropolitano at the end of the campaign when his contract expires.

With Atleti two goals up from the first leg of their quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon, Simeone is targeting continental success as the ideal way for club legend Torres to bow out.

"It would be important for Fernando to win, as it is for us to be with him," he told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "It is important to be together, that this title means something important.

"He is the most successful player in club history at the moment and that title would be the icing on the cake. Fernando, whenever he does something, is very thoughtful.

"If he chose it, it was because it was the best time for it. Leave it parked for now and focus on winning the title that is what we all want."

Torres has been restricted to just three La Liga and Europa League starts since Diego Costa officially arrived at the club in January.