Koke: During the final in Milan, Atletico should have taken a step forward.....

Between a statement 1-0 win over Bayern Munich and Diego Simeone's contract reduction, it has been pretty busy for Atletico Madrid recently, and yet midfielder Koke didn't mind looking a bit further back to analyse what went wrong in last year's Champions League final.

Los Rojiblancos are off to another good start in the European competition, and players and coach are aware of what the coveted trophy means for supporters.

"During the final in Milan, we should have taken a step forward to go out and win," Koke reflected, the defeat still fresh in the Spaniard's memory.

"All of us hope to win the Champions League, and though we've lost two finals and the fans are sad, matches like the one against Bayern Munich on Wednesday go a long way in recapturing that hope and excitement."

The midfielder also wanted to emphasise how the coach's contract reduction changes nothing within the dressing room dynamics, much less the team's play.

"It is what is best for him [Simeone] and he told us his motives," the 24-year-old said.

"If he had wanted to leave, he would have told us before anyone else."

With an eye on the past and one on the future, the Atleti No. 6 looks to say goodbye to the Estadio Vicente Calderon as the club switch stadiums at the end of the year, while also hoping to stay for years to come.

"I've been trhough a lot of beautiful moments at the Calderon, as both a player and a fan.