Atlético always among the goals

On 2 July 2007, Club Atlético de Madrid's star man, academy graduate and captain Fernando Torres left for Liverpool FC. It was a bitter blow for the Rojiblancos fans, for whom Torres had been a ray of light during bleak times at the Vicente Calderón.

Days before his exit was confirmed, Atlético had agreed a deal for Diego Forlán, author of a hatful of goals for Villarreal CF. The Uruguayan international linked up with Sergio Agüero, who had signed for Atleti the previous year, and the Agüero-Forlán combination meant 'El Niño' was barely missed. Between 2007 and 2011, the Argentinian scored 94 goals and Forlán 96 for Atlético, who won the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2010.

The 2010/11 season also marked the emergence of a young Diego Costa, who found the back of the net six times. Recruited in 2006 along with Agüero, Costa was initially loaned to RC Celta de Vigo, Albacete Balompié and Real Valladolid CF – but his moment would come.

Sergio Agüero with the UEFA Europa League in 2010©Getty Images

Atlético's success hardly went unnoticed. In August 2011 Manchester City FC snapped up Agüero, while Forlán left for FC Internazionale Milano. Forlán's final Atlético strike partner was Radamel Falcao, newly acquired from FC Porto. Falcao got off to a shaky start at the Calderón as the Colchoneros began 2011/12 slowly; it prompted the hierarchy to send for a coach who would change the club's history, Diego Simeone.

Things improved almost immediately and Atlético's attack clicked into gear. Falcao finished the season with 36 goals in all competitions, abetted by promising youngsters Adrián López and Eduardo Salvio. Costa, who starred in pre-season, suffered a serious knee injury early in the campaign, and was farmed out to neighbours Rayo Vallecano de Madrid to help his recuperation. He scored nine Liga goals in 16 games – a fact not lost on Simeone.

Atlético ended 2011/12 by lifting a second UEFA Europa League title in three editions, adding another UEFA Super Cup thanks to Falcao's hat-trick against Chelsea FC, by which time the Colombian had a new sidekick. Costa came to the fore, registering 20 goals in 44 games and acting as the ideal foil for Falcao as Atlético enjoyed an excellent campaign. They qualified for the UEFA Champions League and won the Copa del Rey at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid CF.

Falcao was also among the goals at Atlético©AFP/Getty Images

Once again the moneyed clubs came calling and Atlético found it impossible to resist AS Monaco FC's offer for Falcao, one of 2013's biggest deals. Yet again their main attacking threat had been taken; yet again Atlético were able to reinvent themselves, here by keeping faith with what they already had.

Costa, having proved himself the perfect partner, now became the main man. Simeone called on the experienced David Villa from FC Barcelona, and what happened next surpassed all expectations. Costa, the indefatigable warrior, scored 36 in all competitions; Villa contributed 18; Raúl García also got into double figures. Atlético won the Liga for the first time in 18 years and were seconds away from UEFA Champions League glory in Lisbon.

Their memorable campaign turned the side into stars and last summer Simeone brought in nine players. He needed to: Costa and Filipe Luís departed for Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge after three seasons on loan; Villa quit to try his luck in the United States. Atlético's best front line in years had been dismantled.

Diego Costa spearheaded the remarkable 2013/14 campaign©Getty Images

Crucially, however, Simeone was able to keep a strong core. Diego Godín and Miranda, the two defensive rocks, remained in defence, while new contracts were given to creative midfielders Koke and Arda Turan. All that was left was to find some goals.

Mario Mandžukić, unwanted at FC Bayern München, was the first piece in the jigsaw, shortly before Antoine Griezmann arrived from Real Sociedad de Fútbol. If the Frenchman took a while to settle on the banks of the Manzanares, he is now Atleti's 14-goal leading scorer in the Liga, while Mandžukić, who has 12 in the league, has notched five in six UEFA Champions League outings.

Finally, in January, came the return of the prodigal son. Almost eight years after saying goodbye, Torres was back and instantly picked up where he left off, scoring against Real Madrid CF and Barcelona. This trio, together with the promising Raúl Jiménez and Ángel Correa, means the Atlético attack is once more a lethal proposition to all-comers.