In one year, Brazil's Leo Baptistao has gone from making his 'La Liga' debut with Rayo Vallecano to playing his first Champions League game for Atlético de Madrid, against Zenit St. Petersburg. He crowned the occasion with a goal.

Q. Had you hoped to be playing more?

A. I had hoped to be playing more. You have to have ambition. I will keep on working and learning.

Q. What does Simeone tell you about the number of minutes you're playing?

A. He doesn't give explanations. His problem is that he has a lot of players and they're all good.

Q. El Cholo (Simeone) always says that it's impossible to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

A. I think the same. It is still a two-horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid. We are trying to finish in the top four.

Q. The aim is to return to Neptuno (square in Madrid where Atlético de Madrid celebrate triumphs) having won one of the three trophies?

A. Of course; I would like that. It would be my first trophy. I have seen Atleti's celebrations and they are very thrilling.

Q. Was the work rate during the pre-season as hard as you expected?

A. My first pre-season in the top flight, with Rayo, was very hard. I got to Atlético and it was quite tough, tougher than they'd told me. Now we are reaping the benefits.

Q. Do you see yourself ready to be a first-team player?

A. I am ready to help Atlético, as a first-team player or whatever.

Q. Like Costa, you could play for Spain in the under-21 side. Would you go for Spain if they called you up?

A. It would be a big leap forward in my career. I'd like it. But Costa is a lot further on. I haven't done anything yet.