The UEFA Youth League group stage is already done for Atlético de Madrid as the Spaniards got a valuable win away to Porto in Group B final battle, a game with the top spot at stake. Goals by Niño from the penalty spot (12’) and Raihani (48’) were enough to get all three points against the strong Portuguese side. Tiago Andrade scored the equaliser for the local side after the break (47’).

“It's a very happy day for all of us," said Torres after signing their place in the last 16 round. “To finish it the way we have done after a very difficult group… away at Porto as we did one year ago, against a great rival and at a very tough pitch. We’ve tried to teach them the mentality of fighting for winning every game, even though when a draw is enough, of getting the most from our strengths... The performance was once again very serious for guys at this age, who have been evolving and improving a lot as a team”.

“It let us be optimistic about the future, the atmosphere in the locker room was spectacular and that is what they have to learn. When you feel it when you understand the importance of the small details, of living them, of getting excited… at the end, good things happen”, he added.

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5? victorias
1?4? goles a favor ?
4? goles en contra

¡Bravo, equipo! ???? pic.twitter.com/vKuTB7T7Ip

— Atleti Academia (@AtletiAcademia) November 1, 2022

Regarding their way through Group B, the Madrilenian highlighted the fact of facing very strong rivals in this early stage of the competition: “It was a very tough group, Brugges had a very high level similar to ours and Porto. What I highlight the most is the evolution of the team, they came to the tournament with great expectation and enthusiasm, and as the fixtures were going on it changed into a mentality of competing, of winning, of feeling capable to beat anyone. That is very good".

After reaching the targets set out for this first stage of the competition, Fernando turn the focus to next challenges for this U19 side: "The target was to win, to finish on top spot, to avoid that difficult round of 32 as we experienced last season. Now we are excited to know the name of our rivals, the ties, the path that remains ahead for us to keep our excitement on a high. Today we will enjoy this victory, let’s hope that our first team also wins this afternoon, and from tomorrow we will change the focus and think about the League games, which are coming up with very tough games”.

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— Atleti Academia (@AtletiAcademia) November 1, 2022