Atletico Madrid defender Mariano Pernia insisted on Thursday that it should be his side's duty to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

Atletico entertain Schalke 04 of Germany next Tuesday, with the visitors winning 1-0 in the first leg of their qualifying round.

Pernia believed that the sooner the game comes around, the better it will be for everyone's nerves.

"The truth is that it is difficult to stop thinking about it, because it is such an important game. These are nervous and tense games, because we all really want the day of the match to arrive," he told Atletico's official website.

Pernia is optimistic they can turn things around at home.

"We know we can beat Schalke 04, because we played a lot better in the second half of the match. We moved the ball around a lot better and had more depth in our play," he said.

After finishing fourth in Spain last season, Atletico have made several big signings as they look to make a step forward in quality. Gregory Coupet, John Heitinga, Czech captain Tomas Ujfalusi, midfielder Paulo Assuncao and striker Florent Sinama Pongolle have all moved to the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Pernia believes his team is much stronger in the new season.

"It is not easy to beat any side these days, but Atletico Madrid has a side designed to compete in the Champions League. We have the potential to do that, "he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)