Fernando Torres: Atletico Madrid know ‘we are nothing unless we work as a team’

'It'll be another battle against Bayern' says Fernando Torres of Atletico Madrid's Champions League semi-final match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres shown at a press conference on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munch. Michaela Rehle / Reuters / May 2, 2016
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Striker Fernando Torres said Atletico Madrid are ready for "a battle" at Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final to keep their Milan dream alive.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico arrived at Munich holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg thanks to Saul Niguez’s solo winner in last Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at Madrid.

Atletico are bidding to reach the Champions League final on May 28 at Milan having lost 4-1 after extra-time in the 2014 final to neighbours Real Madrid, whom they would meet again in the final if Real advance past Manchester City in the other semi-final.

Torres said they will do everything to ensure Bayern coach Pep Guardiola signs off his third and final year at Munich with a third defeat to Spanish opposition in the European semi-finals.

”It’ll be a another battle against Bayern tomorrow,” Torres said.

• Read more: Ian Hawkey – Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola will need Thomas Muller from the start against Atletico

• Also see: Super Saul Niguez puts Atletico Madrid up against Bayern Munich – in pictures

The Spain international, 32, is enjoying a new lease of life at Atletico having played in 10 of their European games this season and said the secret to their success is simply hard work.

“The most important thing is that we know who we are and that we are nothing unless we work as a team,” he said.

“We’ve conceded one of the fewest amount of goals in Europe this season and we score in nearly every game, so if you put the two together, it’s a good combination.

“I enjoy every day and every game and when I see young players who play at the highest level, it’s wonderful and you have to learn from their attitude.

“I am thankful to be back here with Atletico, but tomorrow, we are going to play a very important game which we want to win.”

• Andy Mitten on Saul Niguez: 'In a brilliant moment' he shows he's ready to be big time

With centre-back Diego Godin, the cornerstone of the Atletico defence, back from a hamstring injury, Simeone refused to be drawn as to whether he would start the Uruguay international.

“We are lucky in that we have four good defenders available to us,” the Atletico coach said, as he will have to choose between Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Stefan Savic and Jose Gimenez also bidding for a starting berth. “In the first leg we played in a way that feels good for us.

“The work we have done these past four-and-a-half-years is slowly paying off.

“We have some new players and it is really great to work with them.

“I am nervous before every game.

“We have to see what line-up Bayern use tomorrow, but we want to win tomorrow, play our football and to be successful.”

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