"Griezmann has got us all used to it"

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said on Sunday the club have "generated that demand" to compete for more than Champions League qualification every season and "welcome it" after his side's 1-0 win over Celta.

They are already within touching distance of a place in the continental showpiece for the 12th year in a row after being ruled out of contention for La Liga too soon

Simeone said Antoine Griezmann is "the most important player" the team has. "If he played the whole season at the level he played until April, going into May, it's difficult. I think all footballers go through moments," he told reporters.

"It happens to all players. Griezmann has got us so used to doing so well that, when he doesn't show up, there's that complaint. He has generated the demand," added Simeone, who put Morata on the left flank in the final stretch "to help the team by working defensively".