Barca vow to hit back vs Atletico

Cards stacked against Benfica for Bayern trip

BARCELONA, April 4, (RTRS): Barcelona’s 39-match unbeaten run may have ended with Saturday’s home defeat by Real Madrid but the European champions are adamant it was a temporary blip on their road to more glory.

Atletico Madrid will have taken real heart from their neighbours’ 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp as they go to the same venue in Tuesday’s quarter-final, first leg believing they can repeat their triumph over Barca at the same stage in 2014.

Yet, as the shockwaves reverberated through the European game after Barcelona’s late setback against 10- man Real, Barca captain Andres Iniesta told reporters: “This game won’t affect our mentality on Tuesday. “Everyone is hurting after losing but we have to analyse what we did wrong so we don’t repeat the mistakes.” Though Barcelona are six points clear of nearest pursuers Atletico at the top of la Liga, the attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez lacked sharpness against Real.

It may have been a consequence of long journeys back from South America after representing their countries in World Cup qualifiers last week but Iniesta did not use that as an excuse.

Barca defender Gerard Pique, hoping to be part of the first team to achieve a domestic league and Cup and European Cup treble in consecutive years, added: “We have to move on, it’s a defeat but we are still alive in all competitions.

Barcelona’s Argentinian defender Javier Mascherano (right), vies with Real Madrid’s forward Jese Rodriguez during the Spanish League ‘Clasico’ football match FC

Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on April 2. (AFP)

“Now we have to make sure we don’t fall into a slump, because we’re in a unique position.”

Atletico, who gave themselves an ideal send-off for the trip to Barca by thrashing Real Betis 5-1, are in confident mood even if recent history points to a Barca win.

The Catalans’ coach Luis Enrique has a perfect record against his Atletico counterpart Diego Simeone, having won all six of his games against the side from the capital.

Yet Barcelona know exactly what a formidable opponent the Argentine Simeone remains as he masterminded their exit two years ago, winning the quarter-final tie 2-1 on aggregate after securing a 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Nou Camp.

Atletico’s Spanish international Juanfran said this time, with his side enjoying the advantage of playing at home in the second leg, the primary aim was to stay in the tie.

“We’re going there feeling very strong and our aim is to play well over there,” the defender told Canal Plus.

“It’s all about coming back from the Nou Camp with the game still alive so we can try and win the tie at our place.”

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