Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has dismissed concerns around his club's stadium move next summer -- saying the new "magnificent" Wanda Metropolitano ground will be the "best in Europe."
Atletico are set to leave their Estadio Vicente Calderon for a former athletics stadium on the outskirts of the city, now almost rebuilt into a modern 70,000-seater ground which is battling with Baku's Olympic Stadium to host the 2018-19 Champions League final.
Last week Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin admitted that work on transport links around the area is running behind schedule, with his club advancing a total of €44 million to ensure the required infrastructure was completed on time for games to be played there from early September 2017.
Speaking on Radio Marca, Cerezo said the club were "pulling a great stroke" with the move, while suggesting it was costing them more money than previously expected.
"In other stadiums in Europe it can take two hours to get in and get out," Cerezo said. "Here it will be much quicker. We are going to try so that it is much better and fitted to these modern times.
"It is not a question of money, more or less just a question of the permits. Everything will be done in time. We are pulling off a great stroke with the move, although don't misunderstand me, I don't mean a financial stroke.
"At the start with this stadium we were going to earn more than €100m, and now we are down €170m. So you can see our determination to get it done as soon as possible, so that everyone can enjoy this magnificent stadium which will be the best in Europe."
Not everyone at the club is happy with the board's decision-making around the move, with Frente Atletico ultras holding a "strike" during Sunday's 2-1 La Liga defeat to Barcelona at the Calderon.
They are angry at issues including the Calderon hosting the season-ending Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Alaves, meaning few Atletico fans will be present at the last ever game at the old stadium.
Fans elsewhere in the Calderon drowned out the ultras' chanting during Sunday's game, and film-producer Cerezo said that there was "a good understanding" between the club's hierarchy and their supporters.
"Our fans are fantastic they know how we are," he said. "We have been together now many years. And there is a good understanding between the supporters and the directors.
"The big goodbye for us will be the last Liga game against Athletic Bilbao. Some days later there will be the Copa del Rey final, then a great concert with Alejandro Sanz, and some days later a friendly game between our players from all different eras."
The total cost of the rebuilt stadium is reportedly €300m. Financing for the construction work has come from Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's Inbursa Bank, while China's Wanda Group has paid an unknown sum for the naming rights to Atletico's new home.