Diego Simeone will have to rally his troops one more time before the international break. | Photo by Guillermo Martinez/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Can Atlético fight off exhaustion against a fellow Champions League quarterfinalist" Four days after going the distance in its Champions League round of 16 matchup, Atlético de Madrid will receive FC Barcelona at the Cívitas Metropolitano in a vital league game.
Another vibrant crowd is expected as Atlético Madrid (17-4-7, 55 points) will hope to follow up its rousing comeback victory over Inter Milan by securing three points against defending champions Barcelona (18-7-3, 61 points). Atlético have defeated Barça just twice in LALIGA during Diego Simeone?s 12 years in charge ? both times at the Metropolitano ? and a positive result is needed to help Los Rojiblancos stay ahead of fifth-place Athletic Club, just two points behind them entering Saturday?s games. ?LALIGA requires us to be very attentive,? Simeone told reporters during Saturday?s press conference. ?The competition is complicated because Bilbao and Real Sociedad also are very strong. We have to focus on a team that plays very well and has hurt us in recent matches. We hope to take the game to where we believe we can do damage.?
After scoring the winning goal against his parent club at Montjuïc earlier this season, João Félix will return to the Metropolitano for the first time since he was loaned to Barcelona six months ago. The Portu...