'Leverkusen must beat Atletico'

MADRID:

Xabi Alonso insisted that Bayer Leverkusen must fight in its UEFA Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid to keep its hopes of a top eight finish alive.

Alonso's side is fourth on the new 36-team table, and knows a win against Atleti will put it in a strong position of qualifying automatically for the knockout stages among the top eight.

Leverkusen has been in fine form of late, recording 11 consecutive victories across all competitions as it chases leader Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

It has also impressed in the UEFA Champions League, with only Liverpool winning more games to nil than Leverkusen in the competition so far this term.

Only Atalanta has kept more clean sheets than the Bundesliga outfit in a major European competition since the beginning of last season.

But Diego Simeone's side has UEFA Champions League ambitions of its own, with Atletico down in 11th in the table but only a point adrift of Leverkusen.

"We want to be in the top eight," Alonso said. "That's our short-term goal. We're close, but not that close.

"We have to fight for it and winning tomorrow's match is fundamental for us ... but for them too.

"We have to wait and see how things develop tomorrow. If we don't score, it will be more difficult. We need to give our best and fight for the win at any cost because we have a great chance in front of us.

"The more we have a clear idea of the match and the moment it demands, the better. Because we all know how the Metropolitano Stadium lights up in games like this, and we have to control that, be prepared for the pressure.

"The team [Leverkusen] is in a good moment. The players have conviction of what we are doing."

Atletico had also been in a good run of form prior to its loss to Leganes at the weekend, with Simeone's side having won each of its past 15 games in all competitions.

It is second on the LaLiga standings, two points behind rival Real Madrid, which leapfrogged it into top spot at the weekend after a big win over Las Palmas.

"We are both in a good moment," Alonso added. "Atletico, despite the last defeat, are in a great vein of form, and you see many reasons why they are so strong.

"This may be Atletico's best squad in the last 10 years, they are able to rotate in all three competitions and the team still function well. They are ready to achieve big ambitions.

"In LaLiga they will fight until the end, in the Copa del Rey they are in the quarter-finals (against Getafe) and tomorrow will be as difficult a challenge as it could be."

Alonso also distanced himself from rumours linking him to a return to Real Madrid, a club he won five major honours at in his 236 appearances for them as a player.

Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has been under pressure after his side's 5-2 thrashing by Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final earlier this

"I can't tell you anything. We are in the middle of the season and all clubs have big objectives," Alonso said.

"Over the years, time passes, but the affection (between Real Madrid and I) endures. That relationship is unforgettable, and we are grateful for it because the bond is very strong.

"It was a very beautiful period as a player, they were very intense years. We struggled to get what we wanted, and it was a great celebration when we got it.

"[The rumours] don't bother me, it doesn't surprise me, and I'm prepared for it. It's an honour to be mentioned.

"But I'm worried about the match against Atleti, we've got enough on our plate."