Barcelona can redress their stuttering domestic form by sealing their passage to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals when they visit Atletico Madrid today.
Last season’s treble winners, Barca are in their worst run of form in La Liga since coach Luis Enrique took charge in August 2014, losing their past two games to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, and drawing with Villarreal.
Although those results have seen their La Liga lead over second-placed Atletico cut to three points, Barca are still on track to become the first Spanish team to win the treble two years in a row, with the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla coming up next month.
The visitors take a 2-1 lead from the first leg into the return match at the Vicente Calderon, Luis Suarez’s brace having canceled out Fernando Torres’ opener after the former Chelsea striker was sent off in the 35th minute.
“There’s no time for apologies or excuses, we need results. It’s not the time to sink low and think that we’re on a horrible run,” Enrique said. “There are reasons to be optimistic, although the results have not been what we want.”
Thomas Vermaelen is ruled out and Rafinha doubtful due to injury, but Barcelona top scorer Suarez returns after the Uruguayan served a suspension.
Enrique is also likely to recall Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic after starting them on the bench in the 1-0 defeat by Sociedad at the weekend.
Atletico are dreaming of a repeat of their 2013-2014 quarter-final second leg against Barcelona when an early goal by Koke delivered a 1-0 win and 2-1 aggregate victory.
“The stadium will be buzzing. I’m sure it’s going to be a great night,” midfielder Koke said.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
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