Leo Baptistao: 'I had hoped to play more'

Atletico Madrid striker Leo Baptistao has admitted that he had hoped to feature more for the Spanish capital outfit this season.

The 21-year-old joined Atletico from Rayo Vallecano in the summer, but has played just 115 minutes of competitive football since the start of the campaign.

"It is better than I expected in everything: matches, victories, teammates... It could not be any better," Baptistao told Marca. "It has surpassed all my expectations.

"It surprised me right from the start of pre-season and you realise what a big jump it is from Rayo to Atletico. This is the third club in Spain and is well known throughout Europe, so the responsibility is very noticeable.

"However, I had hoped to play more as I'm very ambitious, but I'll keep working and learning from the players and the boss. [Coach Diego] Simeone does not give explanations. He has a problem in that he has a lot of very good players to choose from and has to pick who is doing well."

Baptistao has recently been linked with a loan move to his former club Rayo.