Simeone wants key contributions from bench

The Atletico boss highlighted how midfielder Thomas Partey had a huge impact from the bench in the UEFA Super Cup win over Real Madrid

Diego Simeone wants Atletico Madrid's fringe players to continue making key contributions when given their opportunities.

Atleti appear to have greater strength in depth this season and their bench for Monday's draw in the La Liga opener with Valencia included Jose Gimenez, Gelson Martins and Thomas Partey.

Vitolo, one of the players Simeone brought on, has suffered knee-ligament damage while talk persists over a move to Paris Saint-Germain for Filipe Luis, who has been included in the squad to face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

Simeone has promised to stick to a squad-rotation policy and stressed even those given fleeting opportunities from the bench have the chance to make major impacts, specifically highlighting Partey as someone who made a difference when given the opportunity.

"Everyone is going to play," he said at his press conference.

"Everyone will have chances and minutes.

"Like I've always said, in football the most important thing is the quality of minutes not the quantity. Thomas came on in the match against Real Madrid for extra time. He stole the ball, passed it to Saul [Niguez] and it was a goal.

"What's more important? Play those 15 minutes well or the previous 70 poorly? It's the eternal debate in football. I prefer footballers who understand the quality of minutes make the difference.

"Hopefully we can keep this up, which is what has allowed us to keep competing how we've been doing over the past few years."

Atletico look to pick up their first three points of the La Liga season on Saturday.