Atletico Madrid travel to Australia to play in the International Champions Cup. After their second Champions League final loss in three years, the Diego Simeone led side will hope to forget the past and move on and there’s no better way to get their preparations underway than notch big wins in pre-season.
Before their tour to Australia, they play their first friendly against Numancia on 23 July where the players will hope to improve on their fitness after the break.
Atleti finished third in the La Liga last season after they had almost closed down the gap between Barcelona and themselves towards the end. There were cheers, however, at the Vicente Calderon as they got a chance of revenge against rivals Real Madrid.
But the season ended in tears as they lost 5-3 on penalties after playing a 1-1 draw in regulation time. A dejected Simeone even contemplated leaving the Madrid side after his second Champions League loss.
"It's a moment for me to think about things. When you give everything and it's not enough it's hard,” he said. "These have been three wonderful years but I am not happy tonight. I do not know which hurts more, this final or the last one. I just feel for the people who have come to watch us,” he added.
When asked if he was going to leave Atleti, he admitted: "I am planning to think about it."
Los Rojiblacos play their first match in Australia against Tottenham Hotspur in Melbourne on 29 July. They then play Australian side Melbourne Victory on 31 July 2016.
"The team and I can't wait to come and play in Melbourne and visit a country as exciting as Australia, sharing with the fans its passion for football," Simeone said via Atletico's website. "It's fantastic to be part of such a high calibre tournament with some of the best teams in Europe and the A-League's most successful side, Melbourne Victory.
He concluded: "This competition will form a key part of our pre-season training and will be a great opportunity for me to put my players through their paces ahead of the new season.”
Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann added: "It's amazing to have the chance to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as part of our preparation for next season.
"Hopefully we'll have a packed out stadium cheering us on against Tottenham."
Atletico are also expected to play two more friendlies in August, the details of which are yet to be decided,
Fernando Torres recently signed a new one-year deal with Atletico Madrid after his deal with AC Milan expired this summer. Diego Simeone will hope to get his combination right in pre-season as he prepares his team after the Champions League disappointment in last season.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-Off (IST) |
| 23 July | Numancia | Burgo de Osma, Spain | TBD |
| 29 July | Tottenham Hotspur | Melbourne, Australia | 02:30 pm |
| 31 July | Melbourne Victory | Melbourne, Australia | TBD |
