Barcelona go into the Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven with a host of injuries but nothing less than victory remains the objective for head coach Ernesto Valverde.
Barca have failed to win any of their last three matches, with the Atletico draw the sixth La Liga clash in which they have dropped points out of 13 games.
Although their league form has been indifferent by their standards, in the Champions League they have been as dominant as ever, becoming the first side to qualify for the knockout stages from a tough group after taking 10 points from four games.
Their previous results included a 4-0 win over PSV at the Nou Camp, with a hat-trick from Lionel Messi, and victory on Wednesday would see them clinch top spot.
“Our objective is to finish first, go out and win the game and win the group,” Valverde said.
Argentinian Messi is set to play at the Philips Stadion but Valverde has a number of injury problems to contend with.
Sergi Roberto, Rafinha, Arthur, Luis Suarez, Jasper Cillessen, Thomas Vermaelen and Sergi Samper have all stayed at home.
“Injuries occur all season long. We had to play the last two Champions League matches without Leo Messi,” Valverde added.
“We have Messi back, but we have other injuries. We have to play with who we have.
“There’s an explanation for everything. A lot of these players have come back injured from their national teams. Rafinha was an accident.
“We pay a heavy price for the players playing with the national teams. It’s not that we don’t want them to go, it’s just a fact of life.”
