Diego Simeone not concerned by departures

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has insisted that he is not concerned that the club have lost a number of their key players this summer.

Atletico picked up their first La Liga title since 1996 last term, while they also reached the final of the Champions League, where they lost to rivals Real Madrid.

Since then, the likes of Diego Costa, David Villa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois have all departed, but Simeone is confident that the capital outfit can still challenge for honours.

"Many were on loan and others paid the buyout clause," Simeone told Marca.

"When a team is doing as well as Atletico last year, it's normal the most economically powerful teams can come and look for some players.

"Many players have been retained. The club made a great effort to sustain this new stage, because it is new, with many parts. We have to think for a bit, thinking about competing with Sevilla and Valencia, which is a little our line today. A little finishing will form the group and when we do that we will have clear objectives."

Atletico face Galatasaray in a friendly this evening.