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Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez is set for a spell on the sidelines after being diagnosed with a torn muscle in his left thigh.
The Colombia international sustained the injury during Tuesday's international friendly against Peru in New Jersey. Tests on his return to Spain revealed the extent of the damage, although Madrid have not announced how long the former Monaco man will be absent.
A club statement read: "Following the tests carried out on James Rodríguez in the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, the player has been diagnosed with a tear in his left thigh muscle, resulting from a knock he sustained during the match between Colombia and Peru. His condition will be evaluated."
The news completes a miserable day for Madrid on the injury front after it was announced earlier on Thursday that full-back Danilo was set for a month on the sidelines due to a foot injury.
Messi misses Barcelona training ´for personal reasons´
11 September 2015
Barcelona have confirmed Lionel Messi did not train with the squad on Friday due to "personal reasons".
The Liga champions completed their final session ahead of the crunch clash with Atletico Madrid on Saturday without their star attacker, though he has not been ruled out of contention for the game at the Vicente Calderon.
Reports in Spain suggest Messi took time off to be with girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo ahead of the birth of their second child.
Fellow Argentina international Javier Mascherano did return to training, however, following his return from national team duties this week.
Messi scored twice in Argentina's 7-0 win over Bolivia and once more in the 2-2 draw with Mexico.
Barcelona and Atletico head into Saturday's game having both won their opening two matches of the new season.
Messi´s brother confirms birth of Barcelona star´s second child
11 September 2015
The brother of Lionel Messi has confirmed that the Barcelona star's second child has been born.
Messi missed training with Barca early on Friday, with the club citing "personal reasons", as speculation grew that girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo was due to give birth.
Matias Messi has since said via Twitter that the couple have indeed welcomed a second son who, despite earlier reports in Spain, will be named Mateo, not Benjamin.
"Well people, Mateo has just been born, he's beautiful. We'll give you more details later, now to enjoy it! Thanks everyone!" wrote Matias.
Messi and Antonella's first child, Thiago, was born on November 2, 2012 .
The Argentina captain remains in contention to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona: Champions look to rekindle Calderon memories
10 September 2015
Barcelona return to a ground where they won the first trophy of an incredible 2014-15 treble on Saturday, knowing that their credentials this season will be tested to the full by Atletico Madrid.
Luis Enrique won his first major honour as Barcelona head coach when a 1-0 win at Vicente Calderon last May - courtesy of Lionel Messi's goal - gave Barca an unassailable lead at the top of La Liga.
But his side will likely be given another stern examination on their latest visit, with both teams having started the season strongly.
The Catalans have not been at their free-flowing best during the first two league games, although 1-0 victories against Athletic Bilbao and Malaga have given them a platform on which to build their title defence.
Diego Simeone's men, meanwhile, followed up a hard-fought 1-0 win against Las Palmas with a 3-0 dismantling of fellow UEFA Champions League side Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Simeone helped Atleti break the domestic dominance of Real Madrid and Barca by guiding them to Liga glory in 2013-14 - coincidentally their triumph on that occasion being wrapped up at Barca's Camp Nou.
While Atleti ultimately relinquished the prize to Barca last season, there are positive early signs that they can once again muscle their way into the battle for supremacy this time around, and striker Antoine Griezmann is well aware his side have a chance to lay down an early marker this weekend.
"It's a big game for us, for the people who will be watching on television, for people who will be at the stadium and we will give everything and try to win," he told Atleti's official website.
"Barcelona always have possession and we will try to press up, be strong at the back and then try to score.
"We had a very good pre-season and that helps us play well. Each time we're getting used to each other a bit more and everything seems easier on the pitch.
"I will continue to work as I have done and always serve the collective of the group."
One of the biggest surprises of the early season is that Messi - who scored 43 Liga goals last term - failed to find the net in the opening two games.
However, the Argentina superstar did score three times in four matches against Atleti last term - including that winner in the decisive league-deciding fixture in May - and he will be expected to fire on all cylinders after hitting three goals in two games against Bolivia and Mexico for his country during the international break.
The respite from league action was perhaps less welcome for team-mate Gerard Pique, who has been at the centre of controversy in Spain following a barracking from some sections of the national team's fans due to his views on Catalan independence.
Pique was forced to call a hastily arranged press conference on Thursday to address the issue amid suggestions he could quit playing for his country, but he rubbished those claims - although he will still have to wait to get back in a Barca shirt.
The defender was banned for four matches last month after being sent off in the second leg of the Supercopa Espana against Bilbao for insulting a linesman.
He will miss the clash with Atletico before serving the final game of his ban against Levante next weekend.
Espanyol v Real Madrid: Benitez´s men forced to cope without James
10 September 2015
Rafael Benitez will hope Real Madrid can shake off the absence of James Rodriguez when they take on Espanyol at Estadi Cornella-El Prat on Saturday.
Real were dealt a big blow on Thursday as scans confirmed attacking midfielder James had torn a muscle in his left thigh, the former Monaco and Porto man having picked up the injury in Colombia's midweek international friendly with Peru.
James is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, where he will be joined by full-back Danilo, who is out for a month because of a foot problem.
Nevertheless, Real will still be expected to extend an unbeaten run over Espanyol that stretches back to 2007.
Rodriguez was instrumental in Real's 5-0 win over Real Betis prior to the international break, scoring twice. Yet with Cristiano Ronaldo - who Florentino Perez recently valued at €1billion - and Gareth Bale available, scoring goals should not be an issue.
Real are likely to come under increased scrutiny at the other end of the pitch, however, with goalkeeper Keylor Navas needing to regain his focus after being enveloped in the David de Gea transfer saga.
Navas was set to be used as a makeweight in the deal to bring De Gea from Manchester United to the Santiago Bernabeu, but a well-documented failure to submit paperwork on time led to the collapse of the transfer.
The Costa Rica international kept clean sheets in Real's opening two league matches and will attempt to record another shutout against an Espanyol side that followed up a 1-0 win over Getafe with a 3-1 defeat to Villarreal.
Former Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo, who has recently retired, will be honoured before the game and winger Paco Montanes knows Sergio Gonzalez's men need to be at their best in order to have any chance of marking the occasion with a surprise triumph.
"Tamudo is an idol and it's very good that the club is recognising him," Montanes said in quotes reported by Sport.
"We have to be very focused and not make mistakes. We'll have to endure and keep our nerve because Madrid will have chances.
"If you go looking for goals you take more risks, but at the same time you engage the fans. It's a decision we have to take."
La Liga Review: High five for record-breaking Ronaldo
13 September 2015 07:29
Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer in La Liga, while Joaquin had a successful return to Real Betis on Saturday.
Ronaldo struck five times in Madrid's 6-0 thumping of Espanyol, with the Portuguese star moving to 230 league goals for the capital club, moving two clear of former striker Raul.
Espanyol were never in the contest, with Ronaldo notching his hat-trick within 20 minutes, while Karim Benzema also got on the scoresheet before half-time.
Ronaldo then completed the scoring in the 61st and 81st minutes at the Power8 Stadium in Barcelona.
In Seville, Joaquin made his first appearance for boyhood club Betis since the 2005-06 season and the 34-year-old former Spain international provided the cross for Ruben Castro's header, as Pepe Mel's team defeated Real Sociedad 1-0.
Barcelona stayed perfect after three matches to maintain a two-point lead over Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings after Lionel Messi came off the bench in the final half-hour to inspire a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.
Atleti took the lead in the 51st minute through Fernando Torres but Neymar levelled proceedings four minutes later and Luis Suarez teed up Messi for the winner with 13 minutes remaining.
In the other match on Saturday, Valencia triumphed 1-0 at Sporting Gijon thanks to Paco Alcacer's stoppage-time winner.
Athletic Bilbao got their first points on the board of the Liga season with a 3-1 home win over Getafe that featured a debut goal from Raul Garcia.
Aritz Aduriz nodded home after just six minutes before the former Atletico Madrid midfielder headed high into the net following Markel Susaeta's cross midway through the first half.
Emiliano Vazquez's fine finish after 70 minutes gave Getafe hope but Aduriz scored his second with seven minutes to play to earn Athletic their first win of the Liga campaign.
Villarreal were also 3-1 winners in their visit to Granada, with two goals in two second-half minutes setting up their second victory of the season.
Manu Trigueros' pinpoint strike got the visitors on their way before he teed up Cedric Bakambu to add a quickfire second.
Fran Rico got a goal back for Granada but Samuel made sure of the points in stoppage time with a clever finish from a tight angle.
Las Palmas recovered from the early sending-off of goalkeeper Javi Varas to snatch a point in a six-goal thriller against Celta Vigo.
Varas was dismissed after bringing down Iago Aspas after just 11 minutes, with Fabian Orellana converting the resulting penalty and Daniel Wass adding a second five minutes later.
Sergio Araujo halved the deficit before Nolito drilled in Iago Aspas' set-up to put Celta in control of the game.
But Araujo turned home Antolin Alcaraz's header on 61 minutes and Las Palmas completed an unlikely comeback when David Simon finished following Juan Emmanuel Culio's pass.
Malaga, meanwhile, are still waiting for their first Liga win of the season, after being held to a 0-0 draw by Eibar, who stay fifth.
Rayo Vallecano 1 Deportivo La Coruna 3: Depor see off 10-man hosts
14 September 2015 23:21
Deportivo La Coruna picked up their first La Liga win of the season courtesy of a 3-1 victory over 10-man Rayo Vallecano in Madrid.
The visitors arrived at the Estadio del Rayo Vallecano following back-to-back draws but claimed maximum points on Monday in an entertaining affair that saw the sides share three first-half goals.
Celso Borges opened the scoring after just seven minutes when he headed home Luis Alberto's cross from the left although Adri Embarba made the most of a sublime Patrick Ebert dummy to level before the half-hour.
The scores were only level briefly, as Alberto found the target following a mix-up in the hosts' defence.
Former Rayo man Lucas Perez sealed the victory for Depor when he collected Pedro Mosquera's through ball to finish smartly past Juan Carlos.
And a second yellow card for Ebert for protesting a corner put paid to any hopes of Rayo salvaging a point - as Paco Jemez's men stay winless and in the bottom three.
Barcelona have confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen suffered a calf injury in his left leg during his side's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
The Belgium defender had to be replaced by Jeremy Mathieu in only the 28th minute at the Vicente Calderon as Luis Enrique's men came from behind to beat their La Liga title rivals thanks to goals from Neymar and substitute Lionel Messi.
Vermaelen was only able to play 63 league minutes for Barca over the whole of last season having struggled all year with a hamstring injury suffered at the World Cup after signing from Arsenal.
While this injury has occurred in his other leg, it is still reportedly set to keep the 29-year-old out for around three weeks and occurs when Gerard Pique still has one match of his four-game suspension to serve.
If reports over the timescale on Vermaelen's return prove accurate, he is likely to miss league fixtures against Levante, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and potentially the Sevilla clash on October 3, as well as UEFA Champions League ties with Roma and Bayer Leverkusen.
Sevilla have been rocked by the news that goalkeeper Beto could be ruled out of action for up to six weeks.
The Portuguese has featured in all three of Sevilla's Liga fixtures so far this season, but will be unavailable for action in the coming weeks.
Beto landed awkwardly after contesting an aerial ball in the closing stages of his side's 1-1 draw with Levante on Friday.
Although he played on for the remainder of the game, Sevilla have revealed the extent of the injury in a statement on their official website.
"[Beto] has sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, as reported by the club's medical staff after the tests performed on the goalkeeper on Sunday.
"The time for recovery is estimated by the doctors to be four to six weeks."
Sergio Rico, who made 21 top-flight appearances for the Andalusian outfit last season, will likely deputise for the Portugal international
Emery lends backing to Rico for Champions League bow
14 September 2015 15:56
Sevilla coach Unai Emery is confident goalkeeper Sergio Rico will rise to the occasion of his Champions League debut against Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 22-year-old played 37 times in all competitions last season but began this term as understudy to Portuguese Beto.
Rico will nevertheless be thrust into action for the Group D opener against the Bundesliga outfit after Beto sustained a knee injury in last Friday's draw with Levante, ruling him out for six weeks.
"Sergio Rico is ready to play," Emery said. "He matured last year in important matches and this type of match will help him. We trust on Sergio."
Sevilla qualified for the Champions League by virtue of continuing their dominance of the Europa League last term, securing their second consecutive triumph in Europe's second-tier club competition and a fourth in the past 10 years.
Emery is now keen for his players to make an impression on the biggest stage and believes a vocal home crowd at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan can play their part.
"We return to the Champions League with the ambition to play it many years. All the club want to grow in this competition," he said.
"Sanchez Pizjuan is our temple, our matches here are more than just football."
Jose Antonio Reyes will captain the hosts on Tuesday, a moment the experienced forward is relishing having started his career with Sevilla.
"Playing in the Champions League with Sevilla is one of the dreams of my life and tomorrow this day will come," said Reyes, who returned to Sevilla in 2012 having represented Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Benfica.
"I'm proud of be Sevilla's captain. We don't play this competition every day so we must enjoy it, but obviously we want to win."
Sevilla are winless in three La Liga matches so far this season, drawing two, while Monchengladbach have started dismally in the Bundesliga, losing all four games to date.
Reyes does not expect these struggles to be factor when the teams come face to face.
"The Champions League isn’t related with our bad matches in La Liga," he added. "We respect Borussia. Our team is confident and strong."
Guardiola prevented Xavi from joining Bayern Munich
15 September 2015 12:55
Barcelona icon Xavi has revealed he rejected a move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2008 because of a vital intervention from Pep Guardiola.
The 35-year-old currently plays for Al-Sadd in Qatar after turning down the chance to join Guardiola in Germany in the 2014 close-season to spend one more year with Barcelona, a decision which proved successful as the club won the treble under Luis Enrique.
Xavi said he had a similar opportunity to join the Bundesliga side while he was in his prime as a 28-year-old, having just helped Spain to glory at Euro 2008, when Guardiola was on the other end of the conversation and persuading him to stay put at Camp Nou.
"After Euro 2008, I got the feeling that Barcelona were ready to sell me," the World Cup winner told Marca.
"Real Madrid were winning things and we didn't and I went to the national team knowing that the club would be open to selling me if a good offer came in.
"I spoke with my agent, Ivan Corretja, and he told me there was an offer from Bayern. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wanted me.
"But then Pep Guardiola became the new coach at Barcelona and I played a great Euro 2008. Pep told me that I was not going anywhere and explained how he could not imagine a Barcelona without me. I was captivated by what he said."
Xavi also discussed his friend Iker Casillas and expressed regret at how he had been treated at Real Madrid prior to his move to Porto earlier this year, as well as reflecting on how the pair defused the tensions between Barca and the Bernabeu club's Spain stars during Jose Mourinho's reign.
The midfielder continued: "It was not a pretty picture. Iker deserves all the credit for solving that. I was pretty calm about it all and he gave me an angry call.
"He called both me and Carles Puyol. 'What's wrong with you,' he asked. I told him that both parties had to look at themselves in a critical way or what had happened.
"Things then all calmed down again and we discussed matters, also with Vicente del Bosque. Iker is a great guy. I have a very bad feeling about how he was treated by the people around Madrid and the press.
"He has always given his all for Spanish football."
Xavi: Van Gaal would humiliate you one day and make you feel like Zidane the next
15 September 2015 15:09
Former Barcelona star Xavi has hailed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's direct approach and has nothing but fond memories of the Dutchman.
Xavi worked with Van Gaal at Barcelona during two periods between 1997 and 2003 and he feels the United boss' approach has benefited him throughout his career.
"I will always remember Van Gaal and for the right reasons. He was a very direct guy," Xavi was quoted as saying by Marca.
"One day he would humiliate you in front of the entire team and the following day he would make you feel like [Zinedine] Zidane. He was like that. And it was a good thing in the long term.
"With him, you could play at Old Trafford one day, only to then take on Alcoyano with Barcelona B a few days later. You don't see stuff like that any more these days.
"When youngsters make the first team nowadays, they think they are there. When you are 18 you should only think about playing games. That should be the most important. And when you get to the first team again, you will give your all to show what you can do."
Xavi then went on to discuss Van Gaal's difficult relationship with Victor Valdes at United and his stance on David de Gea after the latter's move to Real Madrid fell through.
"I don't know what has happened with Victor. Van Gaal gave him a hand when he brought him in at United, but then something happened. They are both very strong personalities," Xavi continued.
"As for De Gea, I am convinced that he did not pull any tricks with him. Van Gaal is very direct and sincere. I like people like him. He is a reliable guy, although that does not mean he is flawless."
Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela revealed he considered departing the La Liga club during the transfer window, though he could still leave in January or next season.
A move to MLS was touted for Vela last month, after Mexico international team-mate Giovani Dos Santos joined LA Galaxy, while Premier League side West Ham were credited with an interest.
Vela stayed put, despite coming close to an exit after three years in San Sebastian, but the 26-year-old refused to rule out a transfer in the future.
"There are always options, in every transfer window. This summer, I had the most options of moving to another club but nothing happened in the end," Vela said in quotes published by AS Sport.
"You always have to study offers and I did think about the ones I received – including the chance to be closer to my country but right now, the market has closed and I am a Real Sociedad player. I'm committed to this club.
"I spoke to [chairman] Jokin [Aperribay] as I always have done when I have received offers or have any doubts. Communication has never been an issue - we were in contact throughout the summer.
"I didn't tell him that I was planning to leave or anything like that; we just spoke about my situation. I am happy at this club and in this city but sometimes you have to think ahead to the future so that you are prepared when a cycle comes to an end.
"I have always supported team-mates who have moved on to further their careers and will continue to do so. I'm happy with my team mates and I'm happy living in San Sebastian but if one day I need to leave, it will be because I need something different – not because I don’t want to play for Real Sociedad."
Vela added: "All I know that I will be happy here at La Real until January and when the winter window opens, we'll see what happens when the winter window opens or next summer because there will always be options. You never know what will happen."
New Barcelona deal for Neymar ´on track´ - director
17 September 2015 10:52
Both Neymar and Rafinha are getting closer to agreeing new contracts with Barcelona, according to the club's technical director Robert Fernandez.
Reports in Spain and England linked Manchester United with a shock move for Brazil star Neymar during the transfer window, though Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu dismissed them as "just rumours".
Bartomeu also confirmed the club would begin talks with Neymar over an extension to his current contract, which is due to expire in 2018.
And Fernandez has revealed that discussions over deals with Neymar and midfielder Rafinha are progressing promisingly, telling TV3: "They're on track. They're very important players who will be at Barcelona for many years."
Fernandez was also keen to praise Barca's 2-1 Liga win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon last weekend and warned that Luis Enrique's side can expect further Champions League tests following their 1-1 draw with Roma on Tuesday.
"The great performance of the whole team at the Calderon was superb, against a very tough team in a tough stadium," he added.
"The other two opponents [BATE and Bayer Leverkusen] deserve respect and you shouldn't draw conclusions to soon."
Real Madrid are still waiting to learn how long Gareth Bale will be out for after he sustained a calf injury.
Bale was taken off 31 minutes into Real's 4-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
Coach Rafael Benitez said after the win, sealed by a Karim Benzema goal and a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, that Bale had a "spasm" in his left calf.
A brief statement from Real on Thursday read: "Following the tests carried out on Gareth Bale in the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, the player has been diagnosed with a soleus muscle injury in his left leg. His condition will be evaluated."
Reports in the Spanish media have suggested Bale could be on the sidelines for a month, which would see him miss games with Granada, Athletic Bilbao, Malaga, Malmo and Atletico Madrid.
Bale's participation in Wales' Euro 2016 qualifiers with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Andorra next month would also be in doubt if that timeline is correct.
Diego Costa has insisted that he is not thinking about leaving Chelsea in favour of a return to Atletico Madrid.
The Spain international was briefly linked with a switch to the Spanish capital during the last transfer window as he allegedly struggles to adapt to life in London.
Nevertheless, he has now made it clear that a move back to Atletico was never an option.
"How am I supposed to go back to Atletico if no one's made me an offer...," the striker told Onda Cero.
Chelsea have been struggling domestically this season and Costa has set his sights on beating Arsenal at the weekend as the champions aim to climb up the Premier League table.
"There's nothing better than a game against Arsenal to win and fix this situation," the 26-year-old told The Daily Express.
"If we win then we'll take a step forward in terms of confidence and points; we know about the importance of the game.
"We have to remain calm. We have enough quality to fix the situation."
Chelsea currently sit 17th in the Premier League table with four points from five games.
Real Madrid v Granada: Benitez keen to improve in scintillating form
17 September 2015 19:38
Granada face the daunting task of attempting to halt the Real Madrid goal-rush at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Real's frustrating opening-day stalemate at Sporting Gijon has become something of a distant memory over recent outings, with Real Betis and Espanyol sent packing 5-0 and 6-0 either side of this month's international break.
It was a similar story for Shakhtar Donetsk, who were beaten 4-0 as Real began their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion this week.
Cristiano Ronaldo notched a hat-trick against the Ukrainian outfit to follow a remarkable five-goal haul at Espanyol and the Portuguese superstar is just two shy of Raul's all-time Real Madrid scoring record on 323.
"We can still improve," coach Real Benitez told reporters after the Shakhtar victory continued his impressive start to life in the Bernabeu dugout. "I don't want to sound arrogant, I am being objective.
"I said it was going to be an attacking team with the right balance and an element of hard work defending.
"I ask my forwards to make intelligent runs. They create dangerous situations and take advantage of them."
Real will be without captain Sergio Ramos after he suffered a dislocated shoulder during Tuesday's match, when fellow defender Rafael Varane departed at half-time with an ankle injury.
Those setbacks came after Gareth Bale picked up a calf problem and the Wales international is also set to miss out this weekend.
Bale's injury, alongside James Rodriguez’s on-going absence, could mean a first Madrid start for close-season signing Mateo Kovacic, while Pepe and Nacho replaced Varane and Ramos against Shakhtar.
Granada have won all three matches away from home since Jose Ramon Sandoval was appointed as coach and successfully steered them away from relegation last May, although 3-1 losses to Eibar and Villarreal came either side of their solitary success this term at Getafe.
The corresponding fixture last season offers Granada scant encouragement. Real were 9-1 winners, with Ronaldo scoring five.
Indeed, the Andalusian side have a solitary win in their past 21 trips to the Bernabeu, losing 18.
Sandoval will be without Ruben Perez after the midfielder sprained his knee against Villarreal, with Fran Rico well-placed to take his place in the starting XI having netted a consolation goal last time out.
If Rico repeats the feat, he would become the first player to score against Real this season.
Eibar v Atletico Madrid: Simeone´s men out to forget Barca loss
17 September 2015 23:25
Atletico Madrid will be desperate to bounce back from last week's 2-1 defeat at Barcelona when they meet Eibar on Saturday.
Diego Simeone's men saw the defending La Liga champions come from a goal behind to triumph 2-1 thanks to efforts from Neymar and Lionel Messi at Vicente Calderon.
Atleti set that to one side with an impressive 2-0 triumph away at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, and focus now returns to their domestic efforts.
The 2014 champions began the campaign by emerging victorious over Las Palmas and Sevilla, with the match against Barca representing a first loss of the season.
Simeone will be delighted, then, to have a full-strength squad at his disposal for the forthcoming fixture.
Diego Godin had been the chief concern for the head coach after the skipper suffered a knee strain in Turkey during the week.
The centre-back played through that encounter despite the problem, and has since trained with the rest of his team-mates following their return to the Spanish capital.
Filipe Luis, who missed out against Gala due to a knock sustained against Barcelona, was also a full participant in practice, with his return meaning Simeone has all options at his disposal.
Even with that array of resources, though, Atleti face a difficult challenge against an Eibar outfit off to a flying start.
Jose Luis Mendilibar's side are joint-top of the table having picked up seven points, in the process becoming the first Basque team not to taste defeat in their opening three matches since Athletic Bilbao in 2009-10.
Much of that impressive form has been built around some stellar performances from Adrian, the midfielder having found the net twice in the early weeks.
The history books suggest extending that unbeaten run to four will be a tricky task for Eibar, who are yet to keep a clean sheet against a Madrid club.
They lost both meetings with Atletico last season and their opponents head into this clash on the back of a nine-game streak without defeat in away La Liga encounters stretching back to last season.
Eibar have been resolute in shipping just a single goal so far this term, that coming in the season-opening 3-1 victory over Granada.
Barcelona v Levante: Alcaraz appreciates enormity of task at hand
18 September 2015 20:34
Levante coach Lucas Alcaraz knows there will be little margin for error when his side travel to the Camp Nou to take on Barcelona on Sunday.
Luis Enrique's men will aim to maintain the perfect start to their La Liga title defence after being held to a 1-1 Champions League draw by Roma in midweek.
Each of Barcelona's domestic wins this term has been by a solitary goal, although Alcaraz does not need to cast his mind back too far to recall the champions at their destructive best.
The Catalans' famous front three were all on target in a 5-0 win over Levante in February, with Neymar and Luis Suarez netting either side of a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
"We'll need to be at our best in every sense; we need to be tight in defence and when we have the ball use it well,” he told a pre-match news conference, as quoted by AS. "There are a lot of things that the team have to do very well.”
"They have very good players and we're not telling anybody anything they don't know by saying that Messi is the most decisive. But I coach our players and I will concentrate on them. Our most decisive player needs to be the whole team."
On last season's Camp Nou rout, Alcaraz felt his men were holding their own until conceding three times in the final half-hour.
"From that match, if we analyse the first 60 minutes, the team did very well but then Barcelona stepped up a gear and we couldn't handle it," he said.
"The challenge is to be able to handle that rhythm, that due to their quality they are able to impose.
"It's a very difficult game, that is obvious. But it's the game that we have and we have the desire to do what we do well - playing to our strengths and being competitive."
The season’s first round of midweek La Liga matches follow the encounter, with Alcaraz suggesting that he would be prepared to rotate his line-up on Sunday.
For Barca, midfielder Rafinha begins a lengthy rehabilitation after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Roma, while goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will continue as Claudio Bravo remains sidelined with a calf problem.
Bravo defended his colleague, who was beaten by an audacious long-range effort from Alessandro Florenzi in the Italian capital, stating that the requirement for Barcelona goalkeepers to be readily available to take passes from their defence left them vulnerable to such unlikely goals.
Speaking at an Adidas promotional event, Bravo said: "It was a great goal. Barca goalkeepers play a different way to other keepers. We come further off our line, but that does mean there's a greater risk. Malaga very nearly scored a very similar kind of goal against me.
"We goalies know that we're always going to have to deal with criticism. It is something we have been used to since we were kids. We're pretty tough-skinned in that respect - especially at a club like this. These things happen and we just have to get used to them."
