Atletico Madrid Cannot Afford Any More Slip-Ups - Cleber Santana

Atletico Madrid midfielder Cleber Santana has recently renewed his contract that will keep him at the club until 2012, and he is delighted to have finally inked the deal.

"My family and I are happy to stay here. I was a little anxious, since my contract expired on June 30, but fortunately we came to an agreement. Now we have to work to get the team out of its current position," he told the club's official website.

The Brazilian believes that los Rojiblancos' emphatic victory against Marbella in the Copa del Rey will help to raise morale, but warned that there cannot be any more mistakes if they are to achieve their aims.

"It's hard to understand [the poor start]. Pre-season was good, but we started badly in the league and everything fell apart. We started at 100 per cent and then the level was lowered. In a number of games we played at 70 per cent and in football you have to give your best since no one gives you anything.

"I believe that the result in the cup could be important for the team to get back on track. We must also remember that we improved against Chelsea and Real Madrid. Now we are working hard to take on Deportivo in the best possible conditions.

"We cannot fail in any more matches. We are in a delicate situation and we must finish in the top four. We all know that we can improve. The camaraderie and desire to get higher up is good. I believe that two consecutive victories will get us out of the bottom positions," he concluded.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com