Group D – Kick-off 19:45 (BST)
Although APOEL and Club Atletico Madrid are without a Group D win between them and out of Champions League contention, there is still a place in the Europa League to play for when they meet in Nicosia.
With two points to APOEL’s one, the visitors know victory would secure a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League, but the Cypriot side impressed when holding the Spanish side on Matchday 1 and their coach Ivan Jovanovic is looking forward to “a great opportunity to go even further”.
“We want to win because my players deserve something for their tremendous effort so far,” he said. “We need to be 100 per cent focused and cautious as we’re playing against a very good side that are capable of winning games away from home.
“Atletico may be having some problems, but that doesn’t hide the fact they are still a very good side. There are no secrets to this game and nothing can be hidden.
All of our games in this competition have been tough. We have shown in our four games that we are also a good side and deserve to be here – now we have a great opportunity to go even further.”
Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores admitted he respected the Cypriot side and was not taking tonight’s task lightly.
Our aim is to improve with every game that we play, whether it is at home or in Europe,” he said. “Every defeat for us has been a big blow but we have to remain optimistic and not let our heads drop.
” Like in all our games, we will be aiming to win against APOEL. They are dangerous opponents who are well organised and play quick counterattacking football.
They have good players, especially in midfield, and we will need to be careful. In football, there is no such thing as a tragic situation; in football, there is only the result.”
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