Falcao: "I hope this year will be even better than last season"

Atlétio Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is looking forward to the start of the new season and is relishing personal challenge of beating his goal scoring tally in his first season at the Vicente Calderón, when he scored 36 goals in 49 games.

Speaking after a training session today at Majadahona, he said: "We have to take each game as it comes. Tomorrow's game against Levante is the most important game for the moment. If we can get a good result there that'll fill us with confidence and spur us on in the season. I also have a personal challenge, which is the same as always, to try and score more goals than I did the season before."

Falcao had an outstanding season in his first campaign with Atleti. As well as scoring 36 times he won the Europa League, netting two of Atleti's three goals in the final in Bucharest against Athletic Bilbao.

"It was a positive year. I think coming to La Liga and Atlético Madrid was a very important step for my career, as was winning the Europa League. I'm very happy and I hope this season is even better."

The Colombian forward added that the team is growing as a unit and his team-mates are developing a better understanding of each other. "We know each other better now. I think what we went through last year is going to help us a lot. The most important thing is that we have the same mind frame as always, and that we know that the results will come, but all the heads are pointing in the same direction and we'll need to make a huge effort and everyone will need to do their bit."