Atletico Madrid Hope To Pile Pressure On Barcelona

In-form Atletico Madrid will aim to pile pressure on a Barcelona side reeling from a rift between coach Luis Enrique and star player Lionel Messi in a crunch La Liga clash on Sunday.
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It was an all-or-nothing match last time the two sides met at the Camp Nou in the final game of last season with a draw giving the visitors the title.
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Now while the stakes are not as high, a negative result could have a major impact on the future of Luis Enrique.
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It is a perfect time for Diego Simeone’s Atletico side to face Barca who have failed to convince this season and are embroiled in a supposed rift between Luis Enrique and Messi.
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The pair are believed to have almost come to blows during a training session last Friday and then had a heated argument after Sunday’s La Liga defeat by Real Sociedad.
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That result left champions Atletico level with Barcelona on 38 points, one less than leaders Real Madrid who also have a game in hand of their two title rivals.
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While Barcelona have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, Simeone has gone about the business of adapting new players to his system with quiet efficiency.
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In the wake of the departure of key players such as striker Diego Costa, they started the season slowly but have picked up the pace and began the New Year with a victory over Levante in La Liga followed by a win against Real Madrid in the first leg of their King’s Cup last 16 tie.
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“I don’t understand this game without the word competition,” Simeone said. “In order to compete against opposition you need to compete together. The team is working very hard.
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“In order to have success in three competitions you need to have a group. The team is competitive and we will take on the opposition in whichever competition.”
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Returning hero Fernando Torres has been the centre of attention since arriving back at the Calderon in the January transfer window but he had a quiet game against Real.
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Simeone urged patience with the Spain striker, who left Atletico for Liverpool and then moved to Chelsea and Milan.
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“He offers drive and energy,” said Simeone. “He is strong and fast but needs more time to create an understanding with his teammates.”
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Real Madrid finished 2014 with a Spanish record 22 consecutive victories but after a La Liga defeat by Valencia and the loss to Atletico they will need to get back on track against Espanyol on Saturday.