Tiago Mendes knows that three points essential against Rosenborg BK
Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago Mendes has said that his team's European season is on the line when they face Rosenborg BK on Thursday, 21 October.
Atletico won the first ever edition of the Europa League last season, but have struggled in their two opening games of this season's tournament. The Spaniards lost to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki before drawing Germany's Bayer Leverkusen at home.
Tiago, who signed a permanent deal at Atletico this summer after spending the first half of 2010 on loan to the team from Juventus, said the victory will count when the Norwegian champions visit the Vicente Calderon stadium on Thursday.
"Everyone knows that we have not started the group well, and this is a home game we must win. We must go for three points and we will. We cannot fail again, we have already dropped points twice and we cannot repeat this. We must stay in the competition,
especially after what we did last year. We must win."
Quique Sanchez Flores' team go into the match after overcoming Getafe 2–0 in La Liga. Atletico are currently fifth in the domestic league with 13 points from seven games.
The Spaniards are also boosted by the return of striker Sergio Aguero from injury. The Argentine has been out of contention due to a knee injury at the start of the season, but is now fit to face Rosenborg.
"He is a player who is very important. He is very good with the ball and does things other players cannot. We are looking for a forward who can make the difference."
After their European tie, Atletico will prepare for their trip to Villareal on Sunday, 23 October. A victory there would put the two sides level on points in the table.
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