AGUIRRE TARGETS CRUNCH CLASH

Aguirre - ready for crunch clash.

Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre has described his side's Champions League qualifying clash against Schalke as the most important game of his reign at the Primera Liga outfit to date.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Germany and with a place in the Champions League group stages at stake, Atletico know they have little margin for error when they welcome Schalke to the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night.

Aguirre has faced some big games since taking over at Atletico in 2006 but the Mexican admits Wednesday's encounter tops them all.

"This is the most important games since I've been manager of Atletico Madrid, for me and for my players," Aguirre said.

"It's the most significant game, something which I told to the president (Enrique Cerezo), who said it was also the most important for him since he took charge (in 2002).

"He spoke with the squad and told the players their obligation was to give their all like the professionals they are, insisting they have to fight and battle for this shirt."