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Torres: My most special game

Chelsea FC striker Fernando Torres said "this game couldn't be more special for me" while Club Atlético de Madrid's players were predicting an even contest in the UEFA Super Cup.

Fernando Torres will face his old side in the UEFA Super Cup
Fernando Torres will face his old side in the UEFA Super Cup ©Getty Images

For Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, it is a chance to see old friends but they are no less serious about the task at hand as Chelsea FC take on Club Atlético de Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup match on Friday, the last one to be staged in Monaco. Atlético captain Gabi and forward Falcao, meanwhile, acknowledged the strength of their opponents but know their side's own qualities as they aim to win the trophy for the second time in three years.

Fernando Torres, Chelsea forward
This game couldn't be more special for me. I only knew support at Atlético – I am one of them and they know that. They are not only my former club but also the club I support – I have to leave all these things aside. The aim is to win this cup. We're here to win. It's the only aim I have – I will put my feelings aside for 90 minutes and after that I am a fan again.

Last season taught me a lot of things – right now I know my position at my club. Last season was difficult but I can't say it was bad – the beginning was hard, the end was amazing. We must enjoy these moments as they won't last forever. We're enjoying a good run.

I am playing more, scoring more and the confidence is back – it's as simple as that. I have become a better player at Chelsea. What Diego Simeone has done for Atlético is great – he's been a legend at the club as a player and a manager. He has got through the idea of sacrifice, working hard for the team. He helped me a lot when I was captain at Atlético and he taught me a lot.

Juan Mata, Chelsea midfielder
This is a special opportunity – it's a Spanish team as well, a team where I have good friends including Juanfran and Adrián López. We'd like to add this trophy to our list of achievements.

Eden Hazard's a good player – he's fitted in very quickly. He's doing everything very well and has a lot of quality and can win a game on his own. We have a great understanding on the pitch already.

It's very special – we want to win because of the team, the club. Winning the Champions League was a special moment and now we have another opportunity. Our opponents are a big side. Fernando knows them very well. They have a strong team, good strikers and defenders, quality midfielders.

Falcao, Atlético forward
Chelsea are a very organised team. They defend well and come forward as a team well too. They are strong, but we can stand up to them and beat them. I think we could see an entertaining game.

Winning this event would represent a title and this generates prestige for the club and the players – afterwards we'll see about the Champions League and doing everything we can to get into it next season. For now, we're focusing on the present and are fully aware of the importance of the Super Cup.

Both teams deserve to be here. We're talking about great footballers. I would like to be at that level and I work every day to get there. If it's possible, great, but I'll try my best in every game regardless.

Gabi, Atlético midfielder
Chelsea are going to be tricky rivals. Roberto Di Matteo has signed very good players this summer to complete a competitive squad. We're going to focus on our job because we deserve to be here after winning the Europa League.

I don't care who the favourites are. We know that Chelsea are a very strong team, but the game still needs to be played. They are favourites but we had a similar situation in the Europa League final against Athletic when many said we were underdogs. We hope that everything will work out as it did in Bucharest. Chelsea are champions of Europe but tomorrow I think it will be a very even game.

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