"The draw could have gone better for us, that's for sure," Schalke coach Fred Rutten told the club's official website.

"We'll have to watch our opponents very closely and try to put ourselves in a good position in the home leg."

The seven-time German champions will have to overcome Atletico if they are to reach the elite competition's group stage.

Schalke will host Atletico in the first-leg on August 13th, with the return-leg scheduled for August 26-27.