Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez insists the club’s fans can act as a ‘twelfth man’ and help them to a comeback victory over Real Madrid.
A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick in the first leg downed Los Rojiblancos in the Bernabeu with Wednesday’s return leg the last scheduled European fixture at the Vicente Calderon.
“The second leg has become very complicated and hard for us,” explained Saul ahead of the tie.
“We know that playing at home is a bonus for us and this is a fixture we have to give our all in so that our fans go away proud of us, whether we qualify or not.
“The most important thing for us is the fans, so we must concentrate on thinking positively and attempting to qualify.
“This time we get to play with the 12th man – they know how important they are for us and this time we really need them, and they helped us last week in the Bernabeu and always give us hope.
“Our fans always give their all and always do the club proud, so as players we must replicate that and play with their positivity and bravery.
“We don’t have to go crazy at the beginning, we know we must be smart and despite it being very tough it is not impossible but we must go step by step.
“We have to keep a clean sheet and probably need to be a goal up at half time to switch the momentum in the tie and make Madrid nervous, so let’s stay level-headed.
