A surprise 3-2 loss to Olympiacos on matchday one has heaped extra significance on to Atletico Madrid's home Champions League encounter with Juventus on Wednesday night.
Consequently, a defeat against the Italian champions at the Vicente Calderon would leave Diego Simeone's men, who reached last season's final in Lisbon, facing an uphill challenge to advance beyond the group stages.
Since being beaten in Greece, Atletico have been in positive form domestically, winning two and drawing one of their three La Liga encounters.
Simeone has a near fully fit squad to select from following the return to action from a facial injury of Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic at the weekend. Elsewhere, summer signing Antoine Griezmann has been primarily used as a substitute this season, but the French international may well start.
As for visiting Juve, Roberto Pereyra will be available again following a suspension and he could replace Arturo Vidal, who is expected to be rested because of his ongoing knee problems. Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres will also miss out with injury complaints.
The Old Lady have made 20 previous trips to Spain, but have won there on just three occasions - the last of which came in the Bernabeu as a brace from Alessandro Del Piero downed Atletico's city rivals Real Madrid.
Recent form
Atletico: WWLDWW
Juventus: WWWWWW
Possible starting lineups
Atletico: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Gabi, Koke, Garcia; Griezmann, Turan; Mandzukic
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Evra; Pereyra, Marchisio, Pogba; Tevez, Llorente
Sports Mole says: 1-1
Liam Apicella
