Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores apologised to supporters following the defeat that has left the team's UEFA Europa League title defence hanging by a thread - but insisted "we won't give up".

Atletico went into last night's home clash with Aris Thessaloniki knowing a victory would guarantee them a place in the last-32 of the competition, but a shock 3-2 defeat means the reigning champions are now in serious danger of an early exit.

Los Rojiblancos are now level on seven points with the Greek outfit in second place in Group B, four points behind qualified leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

It's sad that this happened at the Vicente Calderon in front of our supporters. I ask them for forgiveness and we'll keep working.
Quique Sanchez Flores, Atletico Madrid coach

In the final round of matches, Atletico, who were also beaten away by Aris and therefore have the worse head-to-head record, must travel to Leverkusen knowing they need a better result than Aris manage at home to already-eliminated Rosenborg. Aris have never lost in 23 European matches over 40 years at their Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium.

Sanchez Flores admitted: "We don't depend on ourselves and that's why I'm incapable of saying what percentage our possibilities of getting through to the next round are. We let our best chance pass us by and now we have to imagine that the competition is going to be very tough."

However, he added: "We're not going to give up. We'll travel to Germany with the intention of winning. It's sad that this happened at the Vicente Calderon in front of our supporters. I ask them for forgiveness and we'll keep working."