They lost Falcao but are better than ever

Seriously shrewd in the transfer market, Atleti not only managed to grab David Villa but also convince Diego Costa and Arda Turan that their futures were at the club – to amazing effect.

Many people wrote them off when their prized asset was sold, but Costa has been better than anyone could have imagined.

Real Madrid and Barcelona may have spent big on Bale and Neymar, but it has mattered not.