Atletico Madrid are still favourites says Roger Schmidt [divider]

Bayer Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt believes that Atletico Madrid are still favourites to go through to the Champions League quarter-finals despite losing the Last 16 first-leg 1-0.

“The first-leg result was positive but we haven’t achieved anything yet. Atlético are still favourites and we’ll have to put in a big effort,” Schmidt told the official UEFA website.

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Schmidt underlined that Atleti will be no pushovers at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

“We know Atlético are strong at home and a team with a strong mentality who fight a lot. We must keep cool heads and play to our strengths,” he added.

Bayer won the first leg thanks to a goal from Hakan Çalhanoğlu and would go through to the quarter-finals with a draw or even a 2-1 defeat.

The 21-year-old has attracted interest from across Europe for his impressive performances this season.

Çalhanoğlu has scored 10 times and provided eight assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit.