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Double task ahead as Atletico Madrid look to overturn Bayer defeat

Xinhua, March 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Atletico Madrid need to recapture their best form if they are to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat to Bayern Leverkusen and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Atletico's defeat in Germany three weeks ago was symptomatic of the Spaniard's poor recent form, where they have especially struggled away from home.

That trend continued on Saturday afternoon when they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Espanyol in a result which saw them slip to fourth place in the BBVA Primera Liga table.

Now comes the moment of truth as last season's beaten Champions League finalists have to overturn a first leg defeat against a rival which show itself to be every bit as rugged and as competitive as Atletico can be,

They will have to do so without the suspended Tiago Cardoso, who was sent off in Germany, while central defender Diego Godin also misses out for accumulation of yellow cards, meaning that Gimenez will step into the heart of the Atletico defense.

Meanwhile Atletico defender Jesus Gamez highlights that Leverkusen will probably start the game scoring an away goal, something that would be a major factor as if the Germans could score in the Vicente Calderon it would leave Atletico needing to score three times in order to qualify.

"They have to come out looking for a goal, which would complicate things for us. If they don't do that it would be a mistake," said Gamez, who highlighted Atletico's strength at the back.

Atletico coach, Diego Simeone will have to decide who plays in attack and it looks likely that he will bring Mario Mandzukic back into his starting line up as the former Bayern striker has been rested in recent games. Mandzukic is a constant threat from set pieces and his link up play with Antoine Griezmann has been important in some of Atletico's best moments of the season.

There will be a packed house in the Calderon and a pressure-cooker atmosphere for a game where Atletico not only have to show their teeth in attack, but also to ensure there are no potentially fatal leaks at the back. Endi