Soccer

Barcelona put their European crown on the line in Madrid

Champions defend a slim 2-1 lead as they take on Atlético Madrid

FC Barcelona’s head coach Luis Enrique: “There’s no time for apologies or excuses, we need results. It’s not the time to sink low .” Photograph: Angel Diaz/EPA
FC Barcelona’s head coach Luis Enrique: “There’s no time for apologies or excuses, we need results. It’s not the time to sink low .” Photograph: Angel Diaz/EPA
Tue Apr 12 2016 - 23:00

Barcelona can redress their stuttering domestic form by sealing their passage to the semi-finals.

Last season’s treble winners are in their worst run of form in La Liga since coach Luis Enrique took charge in August 2014, losing their last two games to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad and drawing with Villarreal.

Although those results have seen their La Liga lead over second-placed Atlético 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 double having cancelled out Fernando Torres’ opener after the former Chelsea striker was sent off in the 35th minute.

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“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,” said Luis Enrique. “There are reasons to be optimistic although the results have not been what we want.”

Thomas Vermaelen is out and Rafinha doubtful due to injury but Barca top scorer Suarez returns after the Uruguayan served a suspension.

Luis Enrique is also likely to recall Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic after starting them on the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Sociedad.

Atletico are dreaming of a repeat of their 2014 quarter-final second leg against Barca when an early goal by Koke delivered a 1-0 win and 2-1 aggregate victory.

Great night

“The stadium will be buzzing. I’m sure it’s going to be a great night,” said midfielder Koke. “The other day we couldn’t win because of circumstances but at home we’re going to turn it around.”

Atletico defenders Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic are doubtful while Tiago Mendes is definitely out and Torres suspended following his dismissal at the Nou Camp.

The striker maintains he was wrongly sent off in the 35th minute for a double booking, shortly after giving Atlético the lead.

“I’m convinced that the second yellow card was not a card, I felt a mix of impotence and frustration . . . I’m certain that with 11 players we would have won.”