Diego Simeone stressed that Atletico Madrid's aim in this season's Champions League is to reach the showpiece event in Munich on May 31.
Simeone has guided Atletico to two finals during his time as manager but has failed to win the trophy, with both defeats coming against rivals Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
Their best performance in the competition since their last appearance in the showpiece tournament came in 2016/17, when they were defeated by Los Blancos in the semi-finals.
Simeone's side take on Bayer Leverkusen in their penultimate match of the group stage on Tuesday and are eleventh in the 36-team standings with twelve points from six games.
Atletico are just one point behind the top eight and know that two wins from their remaining matches could see them automatically qualify for the knockout stages.
But they come into contention with Xabi Alonso's side after defeat to Leganes in LaLiga, ending their club record 15 wins in all competitions.
When asked how important the match was in their quest for the top eight, Simeone said: “We will compete with our goal in mind.
“The club has never won this Champions League and our goal is to reach that final, which is so desired and cherished by us.”
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— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 19, 2025
Leverkusen, meanwhile, are enjoying a winning streak of their own, emerging victorious in each of their last twelve meetings in all competitions.
Alonso's side sit fourth in the Champions League standings having won each of their last two games in the competition after being beaten 4-0 by Liverpool.
Leverkusen is the opponent Simeone has faced the most in the Champions League (eight games, all with Atletico Madrid).
He has lost (three) as many games as he has won (three) against the German team in the league, but has never faced Alonso.
The Leverkusen boss guided the Werkself to a first Bundesliga title last season, while also remaining unbeaten and receiving praise from Simeone before kick-off.
“Xabi is doing an excellent job, as he showed last season, and he is on track to repeat that,” said Simeone.
“He has a reference for how he saw football from the middle of the pitch, where it is best seen.
“He had great coaches (as a player). We'll have to take the game in a direction where we think we can do the damage on Tuesday.”
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