Hauled back into the La Liga title race by Barcelona’s recent and dramatic loss of form, Atletico Madrid are hot on the heels of the Catalans, chasing a second league title in three years.
Midweek wins for both clubs and Real Madrid have intensified a dramatic finale few people saw coming, and Atletico’s next challenge comes against a mid-table Malaga side who will be looking to repeat their surprise 1-0 victory over Diego Simeone’s men just before Christmas.
Yet buoyed by both their UEFA Champions League progress and their newly alive domestic ambitions, Atletico will be determined not to drop any more points either to their opponents here or anyone else.