Simão Hopes For Another Great Year With Atletico de Madrid

Simão Sabrosa hopes that things continue going well on both a club and personal level in the New Year after helping Atlético de Madrid back to the top in Spain and Europe.

The Portuguese international is delighted with his form over the past 12 months and is aiming to produce more good displays when la Primera resumes after the festive break.

Atlético have also enjoyed an upturn fortunes as they qualified for the Champions League at the end of last term, before reaching the group stages and now the knockout rounds.

"The win against Schalke is one of my best memories. That victory allowed us to achieve what we wanted; to play in the Champions League," he said, looking back on the European qualifier in August.

"I will always have good memories of 2008. We achieved the ambitions that we set out with. On a personal level I will remember the big games against Real Madrid, Villarreal and Liverpool.

"They were good games and they will always stay with me.

"I hope things continue like they have been. It is difficult to maintain this level. Of course, we can always improve but I have to say that I am happy with what I have achieved and hope to do more.

"We have to look at 2009 in two halves. We need finish the season among the top four and go as far as we can in the Champions League while also trying to do well in the Copa del Rey."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com