Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Gabi: Atletico Madrid starting from zero in Champions League

Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi says Diego Simeone's men are "starting again at zero" in the Champions League after reaching last season's final.

Atletico came within seconds of lifting the trophy for the first time in May's final in Lisbon only for local rivals Real Madrid to equalise in dramatic fashion and then go on to win in extra time.

The Spanish champions then eased through their group this season but, as they prepare for Wednesday's last-16 first leg at Bayer Leverkusen, Gabi knows their previous achievements count for nothing.

"We are excited about this competition, as always," Gabi told the club's official website while on the plane to Germany. "It is important game because we want to qualify. Last year was very nice as we achieved important things, but we are starting again at zero now."

Gabi said that Roger Schmidt's high-pressing Leverkusen team would provide a difficult challenge for Atletico.

"From their midfield [to their attack], they have very good players," he said. "They take their chances very well, and manage games tactically well. It will be a very difficult game."

Those sentiments were echoed later by fellow midfielder Saul Niguez at the prematch news conference, with the youngster saying his team would be especially concerned with not making mistakes at the back and ensuring they kept a clean sheet.

"The team is really looking forward to returning to this competition," Saul said, "but we must go into this game being humble. We know that Leverkusen will make things very difficult for us. They are a team which can leave spaces, but you need to be able to take advantage of them.

"It will be difficult because they press you very high up, but we know how we have to play. It is important not to concede. A clean sheet could be important, and valuable for us."

Home-grown midfielder Saul, who is likely to play given a hamstring injury has sidelined regular starter Koke, said it was "incredible" to be playing on this stage so quickly.

"It means a great joy to me," the 20-year-old said. "To put on this jersey in the last-16, for someone who has grown up here at this club, is something incredible."

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