Two Atletico Madrid stars 'extra motivated' to destroy Arsenal's Champions League dream

Atletico Madrid star Koke says saying goodbye with the Champions League will provide “extra motivation.” Veteran Koke, 34, is out of contract this summer while France superstar Antoine Griezmann will play his last ever Champions League game at the Metropolitano before he departs for Major League Soccer at the end of the season. It will mark the end of an era for this Atletico team but also a chance for Diego Simeone who is in the fourth Champions League semi-final of his 15 year reign. They have know-how and experience as well as a reputation for upsetting the odds and revelling in their tag as underdogs. There is certainly emotion around Griezmann’s farewell and, while Koke’s future is not decided, they will both be in the spotlight as they prepare for what could be one last dance. Koke said: “Well, I think if Antoine can say goodbye with the Champions League it would be incredible for everyone and we have the same motivation. Beyond Antoine’s farewell, I think we all have the motivation to win the Champions League, right? Which is the most we can achieve. “Beyond the fact that next year Antoine might not be here or any other teammate, I think in the end this is a team and we play to try to achieve the maximum and the maximum right now is the Champions League. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page “I feel like I'm enjoying this season a lot, that Champions League semi-finals aren't played every year. We talked about it in the other press conference when we were in Al-Bassa. If we got to the semi-finals it was the seventh time Atletico Madrid had done it and luckily this is my fourth that I can play. “So, it’s not played every year, enjoy it to the fullest. I don't know if I'll play one more but it is true that I'm going to enjoy it like I did the previous times.” Koke himself is still going strong but says he cope with the physical demands of the Champions League and feels as fit as ever which he also says stops him from looking back. Koke added: “It doesn't surprise me, the truth is obviously as you get older it costs more, as happens to all footballers, but it doesn't surprise me. “The truth is every day it motivates me more to be here, to be able to work as I've been doing all these years and honestly that motivation is what leads me to the level I'm giving during this season. The past is in the past and we have to enjoy it. “I mean, I don't notice anything strange or that anything different is going to happen compared to other semi-finals, except that we're playing against a great team like Arsenal and it's a Champions League semi-final and with the greatest motivation, so nothing different changes or at least I perceive it as nothing different.” Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.