Karim Bellarabi: 'Bayer Leverkusen were highly alert'

Karim Bellarabi believes that Bayer Leverkusen can reach the Champions League quarter-finals, if they can produce the same performance that beat Atletico Madrid in the first leg.

The Bundesliga outfit took a step towards the last eight after Hakan Calhanoglu's strike gave Bayer a slight advantage heading into the return leg in Madrid.

However, Bellarabi has warned Leverkusen to expect a tough examination at the Vincente Calderon in a fortnight.

He is quoted by UEFA.com as saying: "You saw what we are capable of today. But it's not over, it will be enormously difficult in Madrid. If we play like we did today, we will definitely go through.

"We were highly alert from the first minute. Everything worked out. In the second half we pushed hard for a goal and Hakan hit a great goal."

Atleti were forced to play the final 14 minutes with 10 men following Tiago's sending-off at the BayArena.