Lokomotiv Moscow 3 - 3 Atletico Madrid

Agüero Could Be Phenomenal - Zé Castro

Zé Castro believes that Sergio Agüero has everything that it takes to become one of world's best players after another impressive performance at the weekend.

The Portuguese defender has been impressed by his Atlético team-mate's rise to prominence this term and has not doubts about what he could achieve in the game.

Agüero, 19, has already scored ten goals in all competitions this term and Castro, 24, is hoping that he can continue to improve even further..

"Agüero is spectacular and has everything he needs to become a phenomenon," he said.

"He is very young and it is difficult at his age to maintain consistency, but he is doing that.

"If he wants to make it to the very top he has to continue what he is doing now and I think he has a strong mind.

"Little-by-little he is beginning to understand that because everyone knows how good he is and what he do in games.

"He has everything to become the best if he continues to work hard.

Atlético edged into fifth place at the weekend with victory at Levante as Agüero supplied the pass for Diego Forlán to score the winner.

Atlético Mulling New Agüero Deal

Sergio Agüero's agent is confident that Atlético de Madrid will begin talks over a new deal because he feels the player's buy-out clause is currently too low.

The 19-year-old has become hot property after an impressive summer in the U-20 World Cup with Argentina and with his strong start to the Spanish league, where he has netted five goals.

Agüero's current deal containts a €36m buy-out clause and IMG's Maxi Lo Russo believes that in time Atlético will agree that the figure needs to be raised to ward off major clubs.

"We are calm. Here, with what has to be done, there is time," he said.

"The season has only just started and we are in permanent contact with the club .

"We have a friendly relationship and Sergio just wants to continue playing and try to be do as well as possible.

"The other thing will be sorted out.

"Although his current buy-out clause is not low, it not that high either and we presume that Atlético are analysing the prospect of renewing his deal."

Atlético president, Enrique Cerezo, was not prepared to talk publicly about the situation as he did not want a repeat of ongoing saga that eventually saw Fernando Torres leave.

"I do not want to start another soap opera like the one we saw with Torres," he stated.

"The day that something happens we will let everyone know, but at the moment we do not want him to become unsettled.

"I am not going to start talking about this while nothing has happened."

Aguero Unhappy With Barcelona Substitution

As Sergio Aguero flew into Buenos Aires to join up with the Argentina national squad, Marca asked the striker about his thoughts on Atletico Madrid's 3-0 defeat at Barcelona on Sunday - and his substitution therein...

Sergio 'Kun' Aguero's much-vaunted duel with friend and international teammate Lionel Messi failed to materialise on Sunday as he was substituted off an hour into Atletico Madrid's clash at Barcelona.

The rojiblancos were 2-0 down by then and Aguero had failed to make an impact.

Nonetheless, he was disappointed by coach Javier Aguirre's decision to take him off.

"It always bothers me to be substituted," he muttered.

"But these things happen in matches. It's all over now: we lost. And I can do nothing about it."

Aguero has joined up with a contingent of 12 other Liga-based players to represent Argentina against Chile on Saturday, the young striker eager to score his first senior goal for the albiceleste.

"I'm pleased to be here; it's always nice to join the national team squad," said the former U-20 ace.

"I hope that all the good things I'm doing for Atletico Madrid can carry over to the national team."

Aguero was the key man during Argentina's U-20 World Cup win this summer, captaining the young albiceleste in the final against the Czech Republic and winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in the process.

MESSI HIGHLIGHTS AGUERO THREAT

Barcelona winger Lionel Messi believes his side will need to limit the influence of Argentinian compatriot Sergio Aguero when Atletico Madrid visit the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Aguero has been in breathtaking form this season, scoring five goals in Atletico's last four games, and Messi had nothing but praise for the young striker.

"He is unplayable, scoring goals and doing impossible things. He is capable of anything and it will be very difficult to stop him," Messi said.

Messi, who leads the Primera Liga scoring charts alongside his countryman, hopes Barca can cut off the supply line to Aguero.

"We need to work well as a team and try to make sure that he receives the least amount of balls possible," he said.

Messi expects an open and attack-minded clash on Sunday.

"Atletico are a great team. They like to play offensively and in that respect they are similar to us. They have very good players in midfield and attack, so it should be a very entertaining match," he said.

Messi will begin on the right-hand side of Barcelona's three-pronged attack, alongside Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho, who is likely to keep his place in the side despite some off-colour performances of late.

Coach Frank Rijkaard has a bigger dilemma in midfield.

Holding midfielder Yaya Toure is sidelined and the Dutch coach appears short of options to replace the Ivory Coast international.

Mexico defender Rafael Marquez has filled the defensive midfield role with aplomb in recent seasons, but has been ruled out for a month after picking up an injury in the Champions League game against Stuttgart on Tuesday.

Brazil's Edmilson, another candidate, is also sidelined and Thiago Motta left the club in the summer to join Atletico.

In the absence of all of these players, Rijkaard will rely on his more attack-minded "three little men" (Xavi, Deco and Andres Iniesta) to share the defensive duties in midfield.

At the back, Carles Puyol and Gabi Milito have both shaken off knocks to be ready in time for Sunday's match.

Samuel Eto'o and Gianluca Zambrotta remain sidelined.

Barca are unbeaten in the Primera Liga this season, but sit two points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in fourth place.

The Catalans were struggling for goals earlier in the campaign and could only draw away to Racing Santander and Osasuna, but have won their last five games, scoring 15 times in the process.

Following a disappointing start to the season, Atletico Madrid are also enjoying something of a purple patch.

Javier Aguirre's side have also strung together five consecutive wins in all competitions, scoring 17 goals without reply.

However, nine of those strikes came in a two-legged UEFA Cup qualifier against Turkish side Kayserispor and Aguirre knows his team will be in for a much tougher test on Sunday.

"Barcelona play the best football in the league and even with players missing will make things very difficult for us," he said.

Goalkeeper Leo Franco has recovered from injury and should return to the side, but Motta, Miguel De Las Cuevas and Luis Perea remain sidelined.

Atletico have an enviable record at the Nou Camp, having won two and drawn one of their last three matches.

Former Barca winger Luis Garcia hopes the form of Aguero can produce another upset on Sunday.

"We are a team that understands each other well and we can make things difficult for Barcelona. Let's hope that "Kun" (Aguero) can make the difference in the Nou Camp," he said.

Atletico are fifth in the table, three points behind Barca.