Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said his side must prove they are worthy of being among Europe’s top-eight teams as they prepare to host Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash on Wednesday.
Atletico, who are all but out of the La Liga title race as they lie in fourth place a full 17 points behind leaders Real Madrid, have won only three of their last eight games in all competitions.
“We just need to go out there and show what it takes to stay in this competition,” Simeone said on Tuesday.
“Dortmund are probably the team who play with the most intensity among those who qualified for the quarter finals. We need to play an important game and we need our people to be pushing us as always.”
Atletico have struggled on the road, but have lost only two home matches in all competitions so far this season. That should boost their confidence.