DPA/Madrid

Atletico Madrid do not have the star quality and charisma of headline-hogging players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben.
However, they do have a reliable cohort of what used to be called “bread-and-butter players”: no-nonsense pros who work hard at their game and battle tirelessly to keep the red-and-whites up among the elite of European football.
These good old pros will be striving on Wednesday to clinch top spot in Champions League Group A for Atletico, with a home win against Greek champions Olympiakos.
One such down-to-earth player is Uruguayan central defender Diego Godin, who was voted one of the best defenders in Europe last season.
Godin, 28, scored four goals in Atletico’s triumphant Spanish league campaign, including the one that gave them their first Liga since 1996: a typically powerful header from a Koke corner in that vital 1-1 draw at challengers Barcelona on the last day.
He then almost won the Champions League for Atletico with a another set-piece header in the final against neighbours Real in Lisbon - a match which turned out to be an agonizing experience for Atletico.
Godin then shone for Uruguay at the World Cup, scoring the goal - a header from a corner, needless to say - that eliminated Italy and put Uruguay in the round of 16.
After such a successful end to the season, it was generally expected that one of Europe’s big-spending clubs would come in for Godin.
“Yes, there were some rumours. I can’t go into details, but there were some rumours,” said Godin.
“But I am delighted to continue at Atletico. This is my home, I am very happy here.”
Godin joined Atletico from Villarreal in 2010, and has been one of the pillars around which coach Diego Simeone has built a defiantly belligerent and spirited side. He has formed an intimidating partnership at the back with Brazilian Joao Miranda, who is another dangerous threat at set-pieces.
“They are a wonderful tandem, they understand and complement each other well,” commented Radio Marca recently.
“Godin and Miranda are very tight in defence, and also very dangerous when they come forward for corners and free-kicks...Together, they are a massive asset for Atletico.”
Godin had to get by without Miranda - injured last week while playing for Brazil - in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of Malaga, and will almost certainly have to do so again against Olympiakos.
In place of Miranda will be Godin’s fellow Uruguayan Jose Maria Gimenez, aged just 19.
“Joao (Miranda) and I have played together many times, we get along very well. Jose Maria is a young boy with great potential. He is going to be a wonderful defender, I’m sure of that. He is so calm and composed that it seems he is 30 rather than just 19.
“We have played together several times for Uruguay and we understand each other well.”
When asked about the Olympiakos match, Godin said: “It is an important game for us, because we want to finish top of the group.
“They are a good team, they beat us in Greece (3-2 on the first matchday, in September). We know just how good they are.
“But we will have our fans behind us, and that is a massive help.  They are so enthusiastic and supportive, it’s great to play in front of them.”