After a frustrating performance in last weekend's draw to Real Betís, Barcelona travel to Vicente Calderón tonight to face Atlético Madrid in an attempt to put 1st place Real Madrid under pressure.

Going into the final four games of the season, Barcelona sit in second place, level on points with Atlético Madrid's city rivals Real Madrid but behind on the head-to-head record. Frank Rijkaard has to make sure his team come away with a win in order to have any hope of returning to the top of the league and ultimately winning the title.

History favours Atlético

Recent history does not bode well for the Catalan side. In the seasons Rijkaard has been in charge, Barcelona have been unable to beat Atlético away from home. However records are there to be broken, and with the league to play for, Frank Rijkaard will make sure his team put in a fighting performance worthy of all 3 points. Barcelona player Andrés Iniesta said in yesterday's news conference, “A player that goes out onto the pitch always wants to win, to do things well. Nothing else matters, there is nothing more satisfying than winning. It is a difficult game, and we have the league to play for, so we are going have to go all out for the win from the very first minute.”

Atlético have eye on European place

There have been rumours Atlético Madrid would throw the game in order to give Barcelona the upperhand in the title race against Atlético's fierce rivals Real Madrid. But with a place in Europe for the first time in eight years a strong possility for Atlético, the players have stated that they will do nothing of the sort. Atlético Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin said "We are not going to do any favours... We are fighting for an objective and we need the win. To beat Barcelona would mean a step towards achieving that objective."

Giuly and Motta return

Ludovic Giuly and Thiago Motta are back in the squad after they missed the game to Betís. The frenchman was left out of the squad last weekend, while Motta was recovering from an injury to his right leg. Saviola, Sylvinho and Ezquerro are left out of the squad that travel to Madrid, as is Rafael Márquez who is still injured.

Squads
Barcelona: Valdés, Jorquera, Oleguer, Belletti, Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio, Edmilson, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Motta, Messi, Ronaldinho, Giuly, Eto'o and Gudjohnsen.