Spain Mar 04 (V7N) -Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior said his team face early elimination from the Champions League if they make any mistakes against Atletico Madrid in their last-16 tie.

Los Blancos host their city rivals Tuesday in the first leg before visiting Atletico next week at the Metropolitano stadium.

Real lost 2-1 against Real Betis Saturday in LaLiga and Vinicius said their weak performance cannot be repeated in Europe.

"I think in the last game we lacked a bit of everything...we made too many mistakes, we defended badly and did everything badly," the winger told a news conference Monday.

"It's better it happened in the last game as tomorrow we can make no mistakes, because these are knock-out games where you make a mistake and you're going home, and we don't want to go home so early.

"We're here to keep improving our game and to put in a good performance tomorrow."

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said he hoped the slip-up against Betis was a one-time issue before the derby.

"We lacked attitude in the game against Betis, I hope it was an isolated incident," Ancelotti told reporters.

"I think it is a very even tie and it will be decided in the second leg. It's a tight game, (it will be) hard-fought."

Ancelotti praised his opposite number and highlighted Atletico coach Diego Simeone's strengths.

"What I like is the way he reads games, how he sets up his team, his strategy, the defensive grit his players have, I like all of that," said Ancelotti.

Real will be without the suspended Jude Bellingham for the first leg.

Vinicius has not been at his best in recent weeks but last season came to the fore in the final months of the campaign as Real won LaLiga and the Champions League.

"With so many games you can't be 100% in all of them," added Vinicius.

"The decisive moment of the season is arriving and at Madrid we play best in this moment of the season."

The 24-year old also said he hoped to renew his Real deal, which expires in 2027, "as soon as possible" despite speculation he could be lured by a big-money offer from Saudi Arabian football.

Real's all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr, in the Saudi Pro League.

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