Luis Enrique has challenged his Barcelona players to prove they are “the best team in the world” as they bid to keep their title defence on track on Wednesday night.
Barca will defend a 2-1 lead at Atletico Madrid but head into the tie on the back of successive defeats in La Liga to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.
They are now just three points ahead of Atletico and four in front of rivals Real, a slender advantage which could be all but wiped out by the time they kick off against Valencia on Sunday evening.
Barcelona fell behind in the first leg as Fernando Torres scored what could yet prove a priceless away goal for Atletico, only to then get sent off for a second caution before half-time.
That swung the balance of the match as Luis Suarez netted a second-half brace, and Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic believes his team-mates can rise to the challenge once again.
“We will try to look forward and forget [the Sociedad] match. It was a defeat determined by small details,” he said. “We are all united like a big family. We have to stick with this mentality. We have no doubt.”
Barcelona travel without midfielder Rafinha and defender Thomas Vermaelen but Gerard Pique is expected to shake off a hip problem to face Atletico.
Atletico will be without Torres, who serves a one-match European ban, but midfielder Koke believes home advantage could prove key to their second encounter.
“The Calderon will be buzzing and we are up for it,” he said. “We believe we can turn it around.”
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