Leverkusen must beat Atletico to close on top-eight finish, says Alonso

MADRID : Bayer Leverkusen need to be ruthless to win at Atletico Madrid and edge closer to a direct spot in the Champions League last 16, manager Xabi Alonso said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Alonso's side are fourth on 13 points in the table, with the top eight teams qualifying automatically for the round of 16 and the next 16 entering a two-legged playoff to join them.

Diego Simeone's Atleti are 11th but only a point behind Leverkusen and a win on Tuesday would either side in a great position to progress with one game still to play.

"We want to be in the top eight," Alonso told a press conference on Monday. "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."

Last season's German double winners will set foot in Atletico's sold-out ground off the back of 11 consecutive wins across all competitions and are second in the Bundesliga standings, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

However, Alonso heaped praise on Atleti, who were on the best winning run in their history before a surprising 1-0 loss at lowly Leganes on Saturday ended their 15-game winning streak.

Atletico are second in LaLiga, two points behind