Bayern win shows Simeone's Atletico can challenge for the Champions League once again

Last season's beaten finalists produced another impressive performance against the German champions and look set to be a contender for the title they crave more than anything else

Atletico are starting all over again in the Champions League. While Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are looking to add to their collection of European titles, the Rojiblancos are still seeking their first crown in the continent's premier club competition. But on Wednesday's evidence, they will be in contention once again this time around.

Diego Simeone's side suffered heartbreak in Lisbon two years ago as a late leveller from Sergio Ramos cancelled out what had looked like the winning goal from Diego Godin and their local rivals Real won it in extra time. And in May of this year, history repeated itself in similar circumstances as Atleti lost out again to Madrid in the San Siro showpiece - this time in a penalty shootout.

The pain was etched upon the players' faces and even tough guy Simeone could barely hold back the tears in his post-match press conference. Would they be able to lift themselves again after such sadness and disappointment?

They already have. Simeone set about building a squad to compete in La Liga and in the Champions League this term and, after beating PSV Eindhoven in their European opener earlier this month, Atleti produced another impressive performance to defeat one of the continent's elite teams on Wednesday.

Yannick Carrasco's fine goal after 35 minutes was the difference, the Belgium winger attacking from deep and slotting home a low shot in off the post from 20 yards out. But the margin of victory would have been greater had Fernando Torres converted one of his two excellent opportunities and Antoine Griezmann not crashed a penalty against the woodwork late in the game.

Griezmann missed a penalty in the final of the Champions League at San Siro too and Atletico's spot-kick woes are something of a concern. Torres, who was excellent despite failing to score in this one, also erred from 12 yards out in the semi-final second leg against Bayern and it is perhaps time for Simeone to consider a change, with Koke, Saul and Gabi all options for the penalty-taking duties.

Nevertheless, the win was deserved and Atletico will continue to improve this season as Kevin Gameiro and Nico Gaitan adapt after moving in the summer to the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico's atmospheric arena is in its final season as the club are set to move to a new stadium at La Peineta from next August and, before kick-off against Bayern, the fans held up a spectacular

Juanfran: Simeone is world's best - I can't imagine Atletico without him

The Argentine coach is the best in the world, according to the right-back, who is sure he will remain in charge of the club beyond this season and into their new stadium

Juanfran expects Diego Simeone to remain at Atletico Madrid beyond this season, stating he cannot imagine the club without him in charge.

Simeone is under contract until June 2020, but has been linked with several top clubs and national teams after guiding Atletico to the Liga title in 2013-14, as well as two Champions League finals, losing to Real Madrid on each occasion. 

Atleti are set to leave their historic Vicente Calderon home at the conclusion of the 2016-17 campaign, with Spain international Juanfran convinced Simeone will want to lead the club through a period of off-field transition. 

The Argentine, though, may seek to reassess his future after FIFA rejected Atleti's appeal against a transfer ban, meaning the club will be unable to register and field new players for the next two transfer windows.

"I'm convinced that next year he will be our coach," Juanfran told the club's website before news of the judgement was released.

"He is excited, as we all are, with the new stadium. This year is the last in the Calderon, and all the Atleticos are going to live something special, I'm sure. 

"Everything in this life has to end, but to this day, I don't see an Atletico Madrid without Simeone. He's the best coach in the world and the best coach for this Atletico Madrid." 

Atletico have opened the league season with frustrating draws at home to Deportivo Alaves and away to Leganes.

Juanfran acknowledged it has been a disheartening start to the campaign, citing the increased expectations that accompany the team following their recent success as a factor. 

"The dressing room is better than ever," he said.

"We have had results that we would have preferred not having, but we only look forward to winning. I'm convinced that if we can win in Vigo, things will be seen differently. The team is doing well and we're getting players back from the national teams. 

"We will have a great match and we're going to win on Saturday. The team is doing well and we are not alarmed or nervous. 

"Atletico Madrid set the bar so high in the past few years that there is not a lot of patience. But we have a great squad. Every year we get better, and every year the club makes a bigger effort, and every year we have a better squad." 

RUMOURS: Chelsea to rival Man Utd for Griezmann

The two Premier League giants are long-time admirers of the Atletico Madrid star, with a €100 million release clause not putting off a potential move next summer

Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester United for the signing of Antoine Griezmann, according to The Telegraph .

The Stamford Bridge outfit have been tracking the Atletico Madrid for two years and are wary of United stepping up their own interest.

Griezmann has a €100m (£84m) release clause on the contract he signed in June, but the figure is not putting off Antonio Conte & Co.

The Italian made offers for both Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku during the summer, in addition to the £30 million signing of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille, and are now prepared to wait nearly a year to land a big-name striker.

Leganes 0-0 Atletico Madrid: Simeone’s men still searching for first win

The visitors were held for the second game in a row and could not find a way past a determined home side who have begun their first season in La Liga in impressive style

Atletico Madrid's stuttering start to the 2016-17 La Liga season continued with a 0-0 draw at promoted Leganes on Saturday in spite of Antoine Griezmann's return.

The visitors only had to make a short trip south to Leganes but again they were a world away from their usual standard, following up last week's Alaves stalemate with a similarly underwhelming result.

Once again, Diego Simeone's men had difficulty finding a way through a dogged defence, with the hosts' goalkeeper Jon Ander Serantes only troubled once by Griezmann in the first period, with the Frenchman largely unimpressive on his return from suspension.

Toothless Atletico often looked riled by Leganes' strong tackling and that bite played a significant role in limiting the visitors' more creative players, with Koke particularly quiet.

Atletico continued to throw men forward towards the end but ultimately Leganes had little trouble holding out for a point in their first ever top-flight Madrid derby.

The opening exchanges at Butarque bore a strong resemblance to Atletico's last league outing at home to Alaves, as they saw a lot of the ball but struggled to break down a compact defence.

Even with the return of Griezmann in attack, Atletico lacked craft in their build-up play, resulting in the match regularly becoming messy and bogged down in midfield.

The visitors were eventually presented with an opening in the 25th minute, though it was borne more out of determination than creativity.

Kevin Gameiro linked with Koke inside the area and the midfielder bundled his way between two defenders before teeing up the Frenchman, only for the striker to miscue his effort which ultimately went out for a throw-in.

But craft was key to their next opportunity, as Gabi's floated pass into the left side of the area was perfectly weighted for Griezmann, who saw his stinging left-footed volley brilliantly saved by Serantes.

Atletico failed to produce much of an improvement after the break and Simeone responded in the 58th minute by replacing the ineffective Gameiro with Fernando Torres.

Diego Godin saw a well-worked 62nd-minute goal disallowed after straying well offside, as the away side continued to be kept at bay by the disciplined hosts.

Atletico's frustrations seemed to be summed up by Jan Oblak's apparent kick out at Miguel Angel Guerrero 13 minutes from time, but the goalkeeper was not punished by the referee.

Torres should have eased the tension for Atletico in stoppage time, though. The striker got in behind his marker and met Filipe Luis' sumptuous left-wing cross, but he could only direct his header straight into the hands of the grateful Serantes as Leganes just about held on for a commendable point.

Messi Snubbed as Bale, Ronaldo, Griezmann up for UEFA best

The Argentine failed to make the top three for the Best Player in Europe accolade in favour of the Real Madrid duo and the Atletico and France striker

Lionel Messi has been left out of the top three shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann in the running.

Messi was not even placed fourth in the long list of 10 candidates as Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez bumped him down to fifth.

Ronaldo is favourite for the award, having led Real Madrid to their 11th Champions League win in 2015-16, before being crowned European champion with Portugal after seeing off France in the final at Euro 2016.

Bale, meanwhile, also won the Champions League with Madrid, while inspiring Wales to the semi-finals at the European Championship.

France striker Griezmann lost the Champions League final with Atletico, and was also on the losing side to Ronaldo at the Euros, although he was crowned top scorer with six goals.

The award, which Messi won last year, is voted for by journalists from UEFA's member nations. Gianluigi Buffon, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Pepe were the other players on the long list.The winner will be announced on August 25, the day of the draw for the Champions League group stage.

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