Atlético de Madrid New stadium will be ready "in 18 months"

"Our club accepts criticism with a view to improving. We're not interested in flattery because it weakens you and we are steadfast in our desire to build a bigger club day by day that grows as a result of its sporting success", assured the Atlético president Enrique Cerezo when speaking at the traditional Christmas dinner to which the media are invited.

The 'Rojiblancos' executive explained that Atlético have "many challenges" in 2016. "There is one that we're particularly excited about: the new stadium. Our home will be ready in 18 months and it will consolidate our position as one of the world's big clubs", he remarked.

He finished by praising the current Atleti squad: "We're doing well on the pitch at the moment. We have some magnificent players. I've spent 30 years at this club, and I've never been able to say that we've had a squad as good as the one we have now. They are true professionals, wonderful people and, above all, people who you can trust."