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Barcelona will hope for a comfortable Liga outing when they host bottom club Real Betis between UEFA Champions League quarter-final clashes.
Saturday's visit of the strugglers will be a welcome assignment on the back of a punishing 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou in midweek.
Neymar struck 19 minutes from time to peg back Diego's sensational opener and the nip and tuck nature of the contest underlined the likelihood of the battle for the Spanish title going to the wire.
It was the fourth draw between Barca and Liga leaders Atletico this term, meaning Gerardo Martino will be loath to see his team slip up before the eagerly anticipated season finale between the two teams in Catalunya on May 18.
The good news on that front is the wobble that brought consecutive away defeats at Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid as February became March appears to be a thing of the past.
The draw against Atletico ended a run of five wins in all competitions for Barcelona - a sequence including victories over bitter title rivals Real Madrid and city neighbours Espanyol.
Nine goals and two hat-tricks have seen Lionel Messi typically leading the charge during this period.
"With Messi on the pitch the story almost always ends the same way," said Martino after last weekend’s Catalan derby found a predictable match-winner, although his team enter this contest on the back off huge off-field controversy in the form of a 14-month FIFA transfer ban.
World football's governing body punished the Spanish champions for a breach of rules regarding the transfer of foreign under-18 players. The club has confirmed they will appeal.
By contrast, Betis' problems are all unfolding on the other side of the white line.
Rock bottom with 22 points from 30 games - eight shy of safety - their campaign appears destined to end in relegation.
Last time out, Betis suffered a crushing reverse after Lorenzo Reyes' superb opener at home to Malaga had them on course for restorative back-to-back victories.
Juanmi and Sergi Darder struck inside the last seven minutes to put the visitors 2-1 ahead - a sapping turn of events in itself before Ruben Castro passed up the chance to claim a point by thudding a penalty against the crossbar in the dying moments.
"Analysing the game, it's incredible to think we've lost, it's hard to explain. It was like a horror movie. You have to take your chances though," head coach Gabriel Calderon lamented.
Barca's current injury woes in defence may give Calderon cause for comfort, with Gerard Pique joining goalkeeper Victor Valdes on the sidelines after fracturing his hip against Atletico.
Marc Bartra is likely to partner Javier Mascherano in the heart of defence in Pique's absence.
Atletico Madrid look set to be without talismanic striker Diego Costa as their title bid continues with Saturday's visit of Villarreal.
Costa, who has 33 goals in all competitions this term, looks doubtful for the clash after picking up a hamstring injury in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The club confirmed on Wednesday that the forward had suffered a grade one hamstring strain, but there was positive news in that the muscle was not torn.
Even so, the injury is a significant blow for the hosts and looks likely to rule the 25-year-old out of this weekend's game, with experienced front man David Villa expected to take on the burden of Atletico's goal-scoring responsibility as they look to avoid any slip-ups in their Liga title charge.
Diego Simeone's men have been the surprise package of 2013-14, defying expectations to sit top of the table with just seven games remaining.
Atleti's performances have provided a serious threat to the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly that has dominated the Spanish game for the past 10 years.
Since Valencia won the title in 2004, only Atletico's opponents on Saturday, Villarreal, have broken into the top two, with a second-placed finish behind Real in 2008.
The 1995-96 champions have kept pace with the leading pair throughout the campaign and, after a slight blip where they won just three out of eight league games between January 11 and March 2, Simeone's side seem to have found their form once more, winning their last five La Liga outings without conceding a single goal.
That defensive solidity has been a constant theme throughout the campaign, with their goals-against tally of 22 the best in the league.
Simeone, who was a player with the club when Atleti last won the title, has also steered his side to the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 1996-97.
But their attention now turns to a match against a side who have European ambitions of their own, with Villarreal just one point away from a Europa League qualification spot, and just seven shy of fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
Marcelino's charges have suffered something of a loss of form in recent weeks, winning only one of their previous six league games, and have lost four of their last six on the road.
The visitors would be happy with a repeat of the reverse fixture in November, when Ikechukwu Uche's equaliser cancelled out Mario's early own goal in a 1-1 draw.
They face a daunting challenge however, as Atletico remain unbeaten at the Calderon this season with only Barca, Real and Sevilla claiming draws from their 16 matches at home.
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has called for the football calendar to be changed to protect players from picking up serious injuries.
A cluster of high-profile players - including Diego Costa and Thiago Alcantara - have suffered worrying injuries in recent weeks that put their participation at the FIFA World Cup in jeopardy, while Victor Valdes will definitely miss out after undergoing knee surgery this week.
Radamel Falcao continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury and Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted during Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in midweek with a minor knee problem.
Alonso believes the hectic fixture schedule that players have to contend with leaves their bodies at risk of injury and wants to see changes to allow more recovery time.
"He (Ronaldo) has a minor problem, like many other players," Alonso said at a promotional event. "But it is true that the schedule is very tight.
"Since September we've been playing Wednesday-Sunday and finally the World Cup is approaching.
"Diego Costa has been injured, Marcelo has been injured, and there will be more injuries.
"We have to get a more sensible calendar.
"We started playing in the cup (Copa del Rey) in January and we don't have the rhythm other countries have."
Alonso, who suffered a knee injury at the start of the season, has made 36 appearances at club level this term and Real potentially face another 12 games in 2013-14 should they reach the Champions League final.
Osasuna climbed out of the relegation zone with a vital 2-1 win at fellow La Liga strugglers Almeria on Friday.
The visitors ended a six-match winless run as coach Javi Gracia claimed victory against the side he led to promotion last season, with Oriol Riera and Alejandro Arribas scoring first-half goals.
Almeria did pull one back through Fernando Soriano but they remain 19th, while Osasuna climb to 14th.
Riera put Gracia's men ahead with 19 minutes gone, turning in Marc Bertran's cross, and the away side took a two-goal lead into the interval as Arribas headed home just his second league goal of the season.
Almeria made a fight of it after the break and Soriano reduced the deficit 17 minutes from time but there was no way back for the hosts.
And Rafita's second yellow card saw him sent off in stoppage time, adding insult to injury for the losers.
Real Madrid have confirmed that forward Jese Rodriguez will seek further medical advice after suffering inflammation in his knee.
The 21-year-old had an operation in his knee after sustaining the season-ending injury during Real's victory over Schalke in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash at the Bernabeu last month.
Jese tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the incident eight minutes into the game and went under the knife in Germany to repair the damage.
Now, two weeks later, the club have announced that the forward has returned to Germany for more medical checks after a setback.
The club said in a statement: "Jese Rodriguez moves in the coming hours to Augsburg Hessingpark-Clinic to undergo a review by Dr Ulrich Boenisch, after detecting inflammation in the operated knee, accompanied by a fever."
Jese had scored five goals in 18 La Liga matches this season and was tipped to be included in Vicente Del Bosque's Spain FIFA World Cup squad before his injury.
The 35-year-old has not been passed fit for Saturday's match but has still been named in Gerardo Martino's 19-man party
Barcelona have named veteran skipper Carles Puyol in their squad for Saturday's match against Real Betis at Camp Nou.
The Blaugrana lost centre-back Gerard Pique to injury during the 1-1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, while the likes of Jordi Alba and Victor Valdes will also be missing.
The 35-year-old has also been suffering with a knee injury and is yet to receive medical clearance to play this weekend, but Barca have included him in their 19-man party.
The team had their final training session on Friday morning and Puyol, along with Isaac Cuenca, who has also been suffering with an injury, practised with his colleagues.
Meanwhile, Barca B keeper Jordi Masip also trained with the first XI regulars, but Oier Olazabal retains his place in the squad as back-up for Jose Pinto, who is deputising for Victor Valdes.
Barca and Betis kick off at 18:00CET at Camp Nou as the Catalans look to keep up their Liga defence.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone hopes his team can find a way to cope without injured striker Diego Costa.
The La Liga leaders will be without Costa for Saturday's clash at home to Villarreal after the Spain international suffered a hamstring injury in their UEFA Champions League draw with Barcelona.
Simeone said injuries were to be expected late in the season, but urged his side to find the answers without a man who has scored 25 league goals this campaign.
"It's normal. This is football and players are not machines," he said.
"We're not going to make any excuses because we're delighted to be doing what we do. We are a team and we have to find solutions as a team.
"Barcelona and Madrid might have more players in reserve but neither of them have two Cristianos (Cristiano Ronaldos) or two Messis (Lionel Messis)."
Simeone is wary of a Villarreal side sitting seventh and chasing a UEFA Europa League place this season.
The Argentine said fatigue would play no part despite his team having played their quarter-final first leg against Barcelona on Tuesday.
"The lads have all recovered and we've got tonight to rest," Simeone said.
"Tomorrow's game is an important one for us, against a difficult rival who play a positional game similar to ourselves and have a variety of combinations to their game from midfield to attack."
With Costa missing, Diego may be given a rare start at the Vicente Calderon.
The 29-year-old Brazilian attacker came on for Costa against Barca and Simeone was impressed by the former Werder Bremen and Juventus man.
"I'm really happy with how Diego is progressing. It's normal that after spending two years away from us, he's found it hard to reclaim his place," Simeone said.
"You cannot be a competitive side with eight top class players – you need at least 11 and if we find ourselves in that position now it's because of the players who are waiting in the background and who have had less opportunities."
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino insists his side will not be distracted by the fall-out from the club's FIFA-imposed transfer ban.
The Catalan club were slapped with a transfer embargo effective for the next two windows for irregularities in their dealings at youth level earlier this week.
Barca were found to have breached rules in making 10 signings between 2009 and 2013, but have since confirmed their intention to appeal the sanction.
Martino's men host La Liga's bottom club Real Betis on Saturday hoping to keep pace in an enthralling three-way title race.
Second-placed Barca are one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid and two ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, and could also claim the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League trophies this term.
And Martino knows that Barca cannot afford to be affected by the off-the-field controversy that has enveloped the club.
"It is much easier for the players to focus on football, because ultimately that is our job," Martino said.
"We are informed, but our attention is on the match against Betis because that is the most important thing.
"For a team that faces the possibility of 12 games in three competitions it is important not to deviate from our objectives."
Barca were dealt a blow with defender Gerard Pique suffering a hip injury in the 1-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Pique's injury, which is set to keep him out for around four weeks, came less than a week after Victor Valdes suffered a cruciate ligament tear in the 3-0 win over Celta Vigo.
But despite those blows, Martino is adamant his side will have no excuses for any potential slip ups in the title race.
"There is no possible or valid excuse, neither injuries nor problems outside of the football," he added.
"If we win we'll have had a good season and if we don't win we won't have had a good season. We are the first people who don't want excuses and we accept the situation as it is."
5 things to know about Spanish league as Atletico, Madrid get tough games compared to Barca
Paul Logothetis / The Associated Press
April 3, 2014 06:48 AM
Barcelona's Neymar celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during a first leg quarterfinal Champions League soccer match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday April 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
MADRID - Atletico Madrid will carry the momentum from its Champions League draw at Barcelona into the domestic title race, even if the 1-1 quarterfinal result left the Spanish leaders without two of its top playmakers.
Atletico faces Villarreal without striker Diego Costa and midfielder Arda Turan, who both picked up injuries against Barcelona and will be rested ahead of the return leg against its closest league rival.
Atletico leads Barcelona, which plays last-place Real Betis, by one point with 76 points while Real Madrid is third with 73 points before its tough trip to Real Sociedad.
Here are five things to watch from the 32nd round of games in the Spanish league:
___
ATLETICO HIGH
Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw at Barcelona put the Spanish leader in prime position to advance to the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 1974, but it came at the cost of injuries.
But coach Diego Simeone is unlikely to rest any more key players when seventh-place Villarreal visits the Vicente Calderon on Saturday with Barcelona right on its heels in the Spanish league title race.
Striker Diego Costa and midfielder Arda Turan will rest with Wednesday's return leg against Barcelona in mind, offering first-leg standout Diego Ribas another chance to play, while Raul Garcia will likely return after missing the match at Barcelona to suspension.
"We're going to take advantage of our other forwards, like Raul Garcia, (David) Villa, and (Adrian) Lopez," Simeone said.
___
BARCA WOES
While Barcelona's image off the field continues to take a hit from more negative news, the team remains in contention for three trophies this season.
On Wednesday, FIFA banned Barcelona from signing any players in the next two transfer windows because breaching regulations in signing youth players. The punishment also comes on the heels of the drawn-out legal case surrounding Neymar's signing. The Brazil striker's arrival ultimately cost president Sandro Rosell his job.
Now, the Catalans must dismiss more off-field problems and focus on last-place Real Betis, which hopes spring a similar upset to that of emulate fellow struggler fellow struggler Real Valladolid, which beat Barcelona 1-0 at home.
Against Atletico, Lionel Messi was held off the score sheet for the first time in six games but Neymar responded with the team's lone goal.
"I'm happy since I'm getting back to what I used to be," Neymar said.
___
MADRID REBOUNDS
After a two-game losing streak that took it from first to third, Real Madrid has won two straight games to recover its confidence going into the final stretch of the domestic title race.
It's going to need it with a difficult trip Saturday to Real Sociedad, which is trying to maintain its pursuit of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Sociedad trails fourth-place Athletic Bilbao, which travels to Levante on Monday, by six points with seven rounds remaining.
Madrid may be without Cristiano Ronaldo after he left Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund with his left knee hurting. Forward Angel Di Maria should return after missing the Dortmund match because of a stomach virus.
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PEPE LAUDED
Real Madrid defender Pepe was given rousing applause by fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday as his strong defensive performance helped Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0. The support came days after Ronaldo was jeered at the Bernabeu.
"It's fantastic, it's the result of my work over the course of the season," said Pepe, whose jovial character off the field is a far cry from the brutish one he displays on it.
"Pepe didn't just play a good game tonight — he's had a great season," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
___
BARTRA STEPS UP
Barcelona's defence was dealt a blow against Atletico when Gerard Pique sustained a hairline fracture of his right hip, but replacement Marc Bartra showed great confidence while filling in for the Spain international.
Bartra played perhaps the best match of his young Barcelona career after replacing Pique early on against Atletico, and the 23-year-old centre back is expected to partner Javier Mascherano going forward with Pique sidelined for one month.
"He's a centre back with so many strengths," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. "The only thing that surprises me about him is the speed with which he settled into the game without even really warming up. He showed a lot of personality."
Camp Nou expansion gets green light from Barca members
By Tom Coleman
Apr 5, 2014 11:31:00 PM
Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu said it was a "great day" as the vast majority of club members voted in favour of the plans to expand the stadium
Members at Barcelona have voted in favour of plans to increase the capacity of the team's Camp Nou home, the club has announced.
A total of 27,161 club members, representing 72.36 per cent of those who voted, backed the New Espai Barca proposal, which recommends lifting the capacity of the club's stadium to around 105,000 and a complete overhaul of other facilities.
Before announcing the results of the vote on Saturday evening, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Barca TV: "Without a doubt, today was a manifestation of the club's democratic values.
"I'm very satisfied. It's a great day, a democratic festival for the Barca members. Voting made me very happy, as did seeing so many votes cast by members. It's a huge project that will improve the club for years to come.”
The referendum on the project was the first to be held at the club since 1950, with Bartomeu hailing the importance of the event.
He continued: "The most important thing is that the members decide (the future of the club) in a massive way. We should give an example of our democratic values, and the whole world will see it.
"The members have given me strength. We will continue to work very hard like we always have and we continue to solve problems."
Details of the project's timings are due to be released at the end of the season.
La Liga Wrap: Atletico and Barca labour to wins, Real thrash Sociedad
5 April 2014
Atletico Madrid continued their push towards their first La Liga title since 1996 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Villarreal.
A 12th minute header from Raul Garcia proved to be enough for the hosts, much to the delight of coach Diego Simeone and the home faithful at the Vincente Calderon.The win stretches Atleti's unbeaten run at home to 18 league games and opened up a four point lead at the top of the table.
That gap was cut to one by second-placed Barcelona later on Saturday, as the Catalan club secured a 3-1 win over Real Betis at the Camp Nou to end a difficult week on a high note.
The reigning champions hit the headlines for the wrong reasons after being hit with a transfer embargo by FIFA for next season in relation to irregularities in their youth set up.
Any suggestions of Gerado Martino's side being distracted by those events were banished after 15 minutes, when Lionel Messi stroked home a well-struck penalty, following a foul from Jordi Figueras on Alexis Sanchez.
It went from bad to worse for Figueras, who put the ball into his own net after attempting to cut out an Adriano cross after 67 minutes.
Betis were handed a lifeline just a minute later, when Ruben Castro turned in Alfred N'Diaye's cutback, setting up a nervy finish for Martino's men, but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished four minutes from time, when Juanfran was adjudged to have handled Neymar's cross in the box.
Messi saw his resulting spot-kick saved by Adnan but was first to the rebound to wrap up a hard-fought win.
That left third-placed Real Madrid in need of a win to stay in touch with the top two at Real Sociedad.
Former Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi gave Madrid the lead just before half time, poking home Karim Benzema's effort that was well saved by Claudio Bravo.
That lead was doubled after 66 minutes when Gareth Bale took advantage of Bravo's poor kick to smash home from 30 yards, before Pepe added a third late on.
Angel Di Maria came off the bench to extend his side's lead further two minutes from time, following some terrific link-up play with Alvaro Morata, completing a convincing win for the visitors.
In the day's only other game, 10-man Rayo Vallecano gave their survival hopes another significant boost with a 3-0 win at home to Celta Vigo, courtesy of a second-half brace from Alberto Bueno, who added to Ruben Rochina's 26th minute opener.
Razvan Rat saw red for an off the ball incident after 64 minutes but it failed to have an impact on proceedings as Paco Jemez's side held on for their fifth straight home win.
La Liga Wrap: Sevilla see off Espanyol, Getafe stunned
6 April 2014
Kevin Gameiro scored twice as Sevilla beat Espanyol 4-1 in La Liga to get their quest for a UEFA Champions League spot back on track.
Unai Emery's side had endured a miserable week as they were beaten 1-0 at Celta Vigo last weekend and lost by the same scoreline in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Porto.
But they showed no sign of being out of sorts as they saw off the Barcelona side with a ruthless display at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday.
French forward Kevin Gameiro netted twice after Stephane Mbia opened the scoring and Ivan Rakitic added a fourth one minute from time as Sevilla cut the gap to fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao - who have a game in hand - to three points.
Sergio Garcia's penalty two minutes into the second half gave the visitors hope, but Espanyol have now won just one of their last five.
Getafe complete the relegation places after they were consigned to a last-gasp 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Elche.
The Madrid outfit looked set to follow up their 3-1 win at Valencia last weekend by securing another point on the road, but substitute Richmond Boakye struck three minutes into added time to stun the visitors.
Valladolid's goallesss draw against Valencia ensured they climb above Getafe on goal difference with six games remaining.
Malaga moved up to 11th after they swept aside Granada 4-1 at Estadio La Rosaleda.
Ignacio Camacho helped himself to a first-half brace and Nordin Amrabat added a third from the penalty spot before Juanmi sealed the points. Youssef El-Arabi pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time but it was too little, too late and Lucas Alcaraz's men are just three points above the drop zone.
Members at Barcelona have voted in favour of plans to increase the capacity of the team's Camp Nou home, the club has announced.
A total of 27,161 club members, representing 72.36 per cent of those who voted, backed the New Espai Barca proposal, which recommends lifting the capacity of the club's stadium to around 105,000 and a complete overhaul of other facilities.
Before announcing the results of the vote on Saturday evening, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Barca TV: "Without a doubt, today was a manifestation of the club's democratic values.
"I'm very satisfied. It's a great day, a democratic festival for the Barca members. Voting made me very happy, as did seeing so many votes cast by members. It's a huge project that will improve the club for years to come.”
The referendum on the project was the first to be held at the club since 1950, with Bartomeu hailing the importance of the event.
He continued: "The most important thing is that the members decide (the future of the club) in a massive way. We should give an example of our democratic values, and the whole world will see it.
"The members have given me strength. We will continue to work very hard like we always have and we continue to solve problems."
Details of the project's timings are due to be released at the end of the season.
The Portugal international is ready to make his comeback after missing the game against Real Sociedad, while Angel Di Maria has recovered from illness
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training for Real Madrid ahead of the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
The Portuguese forward picked up a knock in last week's 3-0 first-leg win and consequently missed Saturday's 4-0 league win over Real Sociedad.
However, the 29-year-old appears poised to return to action in time for the return after Madrid confirmed that he has undergone a recovery session prior to the quarter-final decider at Signal Iduna Park.
The former Manchester United man's presence will come as a boost as Real aim to finish off the tie with BVB and progress to the semi-finals for a fourth consecutive season.
Meanwhile, Angel Di Maria is also in contention to feature in Germany after taking part in training having recovering from illness that saw him miss the games against Dortmund and Sociedad.
The Argentina international was replaced by Isco in Madrid's last two games, but is expected to make his return on Tuesday.
Howard Webb has been named as the man in charge of the Champions League quarter-final second-leg between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Webb took the whistle for the 2010 World Cup final as Spain beat the Netherlands, sending off Dutch defender John Heitinga.
Mundo Deportivo has reported that the 44-year-old has now been given the return leg of the tie between La Liga’s top two, which takes place on Wednesday.
The game stands at 1-1 from the first-leg at Camp Nou, Diego Ribas scoring for Atleti with Neymar levelling for Barca.
Webb was also in charge of Real Madrid’s 6-1 win over Schalke in the last round of the competition, and Atletico’s 2-1 win over Porto in this year’s group stage, among other games involving a Spanish side.
Jose Mourinho accused Real Madrid’s players of being traitors and passing information to the Press, a new book has claimed.
Mundo Deportivo cites an excerpt published by the Times from The Special One: The Dark Side of Jose Mourinho, which gives details on a combustible meeting between the Coach and the squad.
Mourinho was upset his starting XI had appeared in the Spanish Press before Madrid were to play Barca and Mourinho flew into a rage at the players.
He also ordered an investigation into the players’ phone records, as well of those of other club employees, but was unable to find the source of the alleged leak.
“You are traitors. I asked you not to say anything on the phone but you have betrayed me and shown that you are not on my side,” Mourinho is alleged to have said.
Mourinho’s rant continued with a handful of expletives before he pointed to Esteban Granero and described the midfielder as ‘the only friend I have here.’
The Portuguese added that he wasn’t sure he could trust him anymore either.
“You are the most treacherous team I have had in my life,” Mourinho is quoted as adding.
Mourinho then took the matter to President Florentino Perez.
Mundo Deportivo adds that Mourinho also told the players they were too close to Barca, citing the examples of Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona.
“[They] are taught from childhood to distance themselves from the Spanish, from Casillas, Ramos and Arbeloa.
“You’re wrong if you thought you’ve made friends with the Barcelona players.
“If anyone is outside my plan then you are turning your back on your colleagues and me.”
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will not risk Cristiano Ronaldo at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday unless he is 100 per cent fit.
Madrid visit Dortmund for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg with a place in the last four all but assured following last week's 3-0 win at the Bernabeu.
After notching his 14th Champions League goal of the season in that victory, Ronaldo sat out his side's trip to Real Sociedad on Saturday due to a knee injury, and then reportedly limped out of training in Germany on Monday.
And with a nailbiting La Liga title race and a likely Champions League semi-final on the horizon, Ancelotti has said the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner will only play at Signal Iduna Park if he is deemed fully fit, while also insisting complacency will not affect his team.
"Cristiano Ronaldo feels that he is at 100 per cent, so we are confident that he will feature," said the Italian. "We will not risk him, though.
"Cristiano always wants to play and I want him to play. But he is a professional and knows when he can't.
"We are close to reaching the semi-finals, it's the biggest motivation you can have.
"We have to play the same way and keep a balance between attacking and defending.
"But we are the best at attacking. We should show that."
Welsh winger Gareth Bale rubbished suggestions he has changed his style of play since joining Real Madrid from Tottenham.
Bale has scored 13 goals and created another 13 in 24 matches in his maiden La Liga season but has also had to deal with a number of fitness issues in what has been a mixed debut campaign in Spain.
While most people would agree that football in the top divisions of Spain and England is vastly different, Bale said in an interview with bwin that he is playing the same way as he did for Tottenham in the Premier League.
"I haven't changed my style of play. In Spain the game is more based on possession but my style of play hasn't changed much and I'm comfortable," the Welshman said.
"It's great to play with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema but obviously it's not just about us three.
"I can't pick a single moment but on a personal level, scoring a hat-trick at the Bernabeu was important for me.
"We've qualified for the Cup final and I hope the best moments of the season come in the final stretch. We're looking forward to them.
"I can't mention any player above the rest. Everyone here has impressed me and I'm enjoying every minute.
"It's great to train every day with world class players because it helps me improve my game and makes me a better player."
Bale is in Germany ahead of Real's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg versus Borussia Dortmund and the 24-year-old remains convinced the tie is up for grabs, despite having played a part in his side's 3-0 win in Madrid.
"We played a great game at home. We played well and deserved to win," Bale said.
"But Dortmund will be another game, a different game. They will come to fight but we have to treat it like any other game.
"We always try to win and want to qualify for the next round."
Tata Martino has included Carles Puyol in his squad to face Atletico Madrid tomorrow without the doctors say so.
The central defender has been plagued by injuries this term, playing just 12 games in all competitions.
But despite not being declared fit by the Blaugrana medical staff, the Argentine Coach has still included his captain in the squad that goes to the capital.
Barcelona squad to face Atletico Madrid: Pinto, Olazabal, Montoya, Cesc, Puyol, Xavi, Pedro, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Neymar, Mascherano, Bartra, Sergio Busquets, Song, Alba, Afellay, Tello, Adriano, Dani Alves and Sergi Roberto.
The Camp Nou club go to Vicente Calderon tomorrow for their Champions League quarter-final second leg having drawn 1-1 in the first match.
Last season he was left for dead, now Luka Modric has perhaps become Madrid’s most pivotal player. Terrance Ross explains the Croatian’s importance for Los Blancos.
It happened in a flash. Pinned back in his own half Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek attempted to find an outlet in his captain Sebastian Kehl. His somewhat errant pass rolled harmlessly towards the central midfielder but before he could control it Luka Modric intervened, intercepting the pass and playing Cristiano Ronaldo through on goal before anyone could react. It was the defining moment of the tie thus far and the goal should provide enough breathing room for Real Madrid as they enter the hostile environment of the Westfalenstadion later tonight. But on a grander scale, it perfectly epitomized the delicate balance between defense and attack that Modric has mastered this season, one that is quickly being recognized as the best of his career.
The story of Modric’s rise from relative obscurity - at least by Real Madrid’s lofty standards - in less than one year has been remarkable. The Croatia international has gone from a benchwarmer, picking up scraps of playing time whenever he could, to a pivotal figure in the Madrid midfield. Some may point to his fantastic goal in Old Trafford last year against United as the turning point in his Blancos career but some brilliant individual performances last season notwithstanding, it’s under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti and his possession-based strategy where the Croatian has really flourished.
Like the stoic Ancelotti, whose expressive celebration of that third goal showed its importance, Modric exudes a calm demeanor on a team filled with explosive players, for better and for worst. It’s a mantle he has borrowed from Xabi Alonso; in fact the 28-year-old has likely usurped the aging Alonso this season as Madrid’s most important midfielder, a task that takes much doing.
But what stands out most regarding Luka is his sheer impact on everything Madrid does. In today’s game where statistics are becoming an accepted method of evaluation, Luka defies logic. His stats are hardly gaudy – just 2 goals and 7 assists on the season but you would be hard pressed to find a Madrid fan who wouldn’t name Modric as one of the teams most important players, even perhaps as the most important ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo – a statement that would have likely been met with blank stares at the start of the season.
The attacking BBC trident may get all the plaudits and deservedly so, but there are no statistics for tenacity, drive, and Modric’s seemingly inherent ability to retain the ball under immense pressure. His defensive improvement must also be noted as well. In Ancelotti’s demanding 4-3-3 system the defensive contributions of his midfielders are paramount, hence Mesut Ozil’s departure and Isco’s struggle to maintain a starting position. Not primarily known for his defensive capabilities Luka has adopted this approach wholeheartedly and added it to his repertoire. In effect, Modric has become the perfect midfielder, a hybrid of defensive doggedness and attacking flair. And this adaptability was on full display this past weekend away to Real Sociedad. After a dire first half where Madrid looked devoid of options, Modric moved into a more attacking position and lead from the front. A far cry from the player who was mocked as the worst transfer at the midway point of last season by Marca.
As Madrid look to exercise the demons of last year’s 4-1 later tonight they do so with a renewed purpose and a confident Luka Modric at the center of the park managing the game. It all happened so quickly indeed.
